Heartlab, Inc., Westerly, R.I., and Diagnostic Imaging, Inc. have entered into a contractual agreement under which DI distributes Heartlab's Encompass(TM) Cardiac Network in the United States. Heartlab specializes in the development of cardiac imaging software and the integration of cardiac imaging

In announcing the agreement, Heartlab CEO Robert Petrocelli said, "Diagnostic Imaging has been a trusted supplier of sophisticated medical imaging solutions, and we welcome this opportunity to extend our relationship together to offer the best technology solutions available to the cardiac market."

Joseph W. Pepper, president of Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., commented, "Heartlab's Encompass network gives DI the opportunity to help our customers boost productivity and efficiency in their healthcare environment. Together, Heartlab and DI will improve the quality of healthcare."

Heartlab's Encompass connects to all major cardiac x-ray and ultrasound systems using the industry-standard DICOM communications protocol, creating a central repository of digital images from multiple modalities together with the associated physician findings reports. Using Heartlab's network-connected diagnostic review stations, clinicians can instantaneously access several thousand diagnostic cardiac catheterization or echocardiography cases stored on the Encompass Enterprise Server, and access in less than 30 seconds cases stored on the Encompass DVD Image Archive.

Heartlab's DVD archive is ten times faster than competing technologies, with scaleable capacity to store from 5,000 to more than 100,000 cases on site. In addition, secure LAN, WAN or Internet access is also available so clinicians can reference patient data from any PC with a Web browser.

Founded in 1994 and based in Westerly, RI, Heartlab's networks are installed in more than 135 of the nation's leading heart centers, and the company's cardiac archiving systems manage a volume of more than 900,000 patient cases with an installed DVD-R storage capacity of 1.8 million exams. Heartlab is ranked #242 on the current Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing firms, the only company of its kind to make the 2001 list.

DI operates imaging distribution service centers with approximately 750 service specialists and 200 sales representatives serving more than 50,000 customers in 42 states. Based on revenues, number of service specialists and number of sales representatives, DI is one of the leading distributors of medical imaging solutions in the country.

For more information, call 904/332-3100 or visit http://www.diagnosticimaging.net or call (401)596-0592 and visit http://www.heartlab.com.