For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2009

Contact:
Michael Norton
(207) 885-3132

Hannaford donates $10,000 to St. Elizabeth Medical Center for installation of New Wireless Technology

UTICA, N.Y. – The Hannaford Charitable Foundation today announced its donation of $10,000 to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica to improve patient safety and security by helping to fund the installation and deployment of a wireless network. The Medical Center will use the donation to build a wireless platform throughout the hospital, and plans to incorporate the College of Nursing and a number of other Medical Group sites in the future.

At a news conference Tuesday to announce the donation, hospital officials demonstrated the benefits of the new wireless LAN technology, which is expected to be operational by the end of next month. Hospital representatives said the most important part of this project is the improved care for patients. The addition of the wireless network will allow electronic clinical charting to be done with hand-held devices right at the patient's bedside. Doctors and nurses will be able to input their patients' information into their electronic devices while in the room with patients, leaving less room for medical errors.

"Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to partner with St. Elizabeth Medical Center to help improve patient health, safety and well-being through the installation of a hospital-wide wireless network that will aid in the delivery of enhanced patient-care services," said Hannaford Supermarkets District Manager Vic Peteani. "The Hannaford Charitable Foundation broadly supports innovative healthcare technology as part of our goal to improve the health and wellness of our customers and community."

"Funding for this project helps St. Elizabeth stay on the cutting edge of technology to help our patients and their families during their time at our campus," said Sister M. Johanna, President/CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. "It is part of our mission to combine a state-of-the-art facility with a caring tradition."

Obtaining wireless capabilities throughout the hospital has been part of a three-year initiative by the Medical Center, which has sought funding for the project from a variety of sources, including the Hannaford Charitable Foundation.

"The wireless technology will enhance patient care, safety and satisfaction through the mobility of the care providers," said Robert Gillette, Information Technology Department Director for St. Elizabeth Medical Center. "Our wireless technology will also allow patients, visitors and vendors the opportunity to connect to the Internet through our Guest Access portal."

The Guest Access Portal will afford wireless Internet access to all patients, visitors and vendors upon request. This access will not interfere with the Medical Center's network, and the hospital staff says they've already received several requests for such an option from patients and their families. Officials said patients now will have access to the World Wide Web whether hospitalized overnight or for an extended stay.

The Hannaford Charitable Foundation has helped to fund the start-up costs for healthcare technology at hospitals in New York's Capital District, Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley. Previously, the Foundation has provided grants for Electronic Medical Records and Computer Physician Order Entry systems which are designed to drastically reduce serious, and potentially fatal, medication errors by eliminating handwriting concerns and cross-checking prescribed drug dosage amounts.

Established in 1994, The Hannaford Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations with a current 501(c)(3) tax exempt status dedicated to improving the communities in the five-state area where it operates stores.

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About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 167 stores and employs more than 27,000 associates in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Most Hannaford locations have full-service pharmacies and all stores feature Guiding Stars, the nation's first storewide nutrition navigation system. Hannaford is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium. For additional information, visit www.hannaford.com.