Rising Demand for Interactive Patient Television Systems Drives LodgeNet Healthcare Sales Growth

Rising Demand for Interactive Patient Television Systems Drives LodgeNet Healthcare Sales Growth

Gary Kolbeck Named General Manager of New Healthcare Division

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Healthcare, a newly created division of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ:LNET), today marked the rapid growth of its interactive hospital systems by announcing that it has now contracted with more than 35 hospitals for the sale and installation of its industry leading interactive system. In addition, with the recent creation of a separate division focused on the Healthcare market, Gary Kolbeck has been named General Manager, LodgeNet Healthcare.

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Major hospitals including Brigham & Women's Hospital (Boston), Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and NorthShore University HealthCare (Chicago), among others, are turning to LodgeNet Healthcare to better manage patients' needs and experiences, while helping to engage patients and encouraging them to become more involved in the care process. Beyond providing a variety of entertainment options that range from movies, music, and video games to interactive information delivery, LodgeNet Healthcare also helps hospitals tackle tough issues such as quality measures, patient satisfaction, and streamlined patient education delivery and compliance, by providing integration to their clinical systems. The intent of the education is to make the patient a knowledgeable participant in the healthcare process.

"As our Company continues to grow and evolve, the Healthcare Division is one of our major initiatives for expansion," said Scott C. Petersen, Chairman and CEO. "We view the healthcare market as an outstanding opportunity for us given its size and its favorable competitive environment. The US market has more than one million hospital beds in operation, yet the presence of interactive systems is presently limited to just a few leading healthcare facilities."

"Creating a separate division dedicated to our healthcare business enables us to efficiently and effectively serve our customers by focusing exclusively on their needs and concerns as it relates to education, safety and the patient experience," continued Petersen. "We have a 28 year track record in providing reliable and easy-to-use interactive television services to address consumer demands, and have a LodgeNet employee-staffed 24x7x365 support operation which stands ready to support the needs of the healthcare industry."

"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to lead this exciting division," said Gary Kolbeck, General Manager, LodgeNet Healthcare. "What sets us apart is our commitment to each facility we serve. We partner with our healthcare customers to jointly evaluate which products and features will benefit the hospital and their staff, and then deploy a solution to meet the needs identified. As a true 'integration' company, we work with clinical systems like the EMR, ADT, physician order entry systems, dietary systems, and others to better involve the patient in their care. It's the dedication and experience we bring to the table that make our clients and their patients happy, safe, and informed. The increasing number of hospitals choosing us since our launch and the positive impacts they have seen are evidence of the value of our system and service."

"Since 2005, Gary has led LodgeNet's healthcare initiative," added Petersen. "He has been with LodgeNet for over 18 years, so he knows and understands the technology and benefits of interactive television extremely well. He has done an outstanding job in helping us extend LodgeNet's consumer-driven market knowledge, integration capabilities, and service and support into the healthcare sector. The business has grown rapidly over the last year and I'm excited to have a person with Gary's talents and dedication to lead this important and fast growing division."

Well-respected hospitals recognizing value of interactive-TV

LodgeNet Healthcare brings its interactive TV market leadership into the healthcare space, with the ability to customize the system to be uniquely tailored to each hospital. The LodgeNetRX(TM) Interactive Patient Television System improves the experience for patients, guests and caregivers, and top-rated hospitals are taking notice.

"Patient care and satisfaction are our top priorities and the LodgeNetRX Interactive Patient Television System has been and will continue to be an important factor in addressing them," said Jennifer Nadelson, administrative director, Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We rely on LodgeNet Healthcare to help us create a branded interactive experience for patients that improves their experience and health. Equally as important, we depend on them for a system that is truly easy to use, reliable and supportable."

The LodgeNetRX solution does not require an IP set-top or PC in the patient room, which has been shown to reduce support costs. LodgeNet's knowledge of interactive television services and its years of experience integrating television systems to other back-end systems make LodgeNetRX a turn-key, future-proof decision.

To ensure full-service support of the LodgeNetRX Interactive Patient Television System, a nationwide team of professional service technicians are available 24/7 year-round, offering telephone support, and remote system diagnostics from the company's headquarters as well as the ability to provide on-site service if required.

About LodgeNet Interactive

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses. LodgeNet Interactive serves more than 1.9 million hotel rooms representing 10,000 hotel properties worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The company's services include: Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The Hotel Networks. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit http://www.lodgenet.com/.

LodgeNet and LodgeNetRX are trademarks or registered trademarks of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: LodgeNet Interactive

CONTACT: Ann Parker, Director of Corporate Communications of LodgeNet
Interactive Corporation, +1-605-988-1000, communications@lodgenet.com; or
Investors, Mike Smargiassi, smarg@braincomm.com, or Media, Ray Yeung,
yeung@braincom.com, both of Brainerd Communicators, for LodgeNet Interactive,
+1-212-986-6667

Web site: http://www.lodgenet.com/

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