DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- MEDSTRAT, Inc., the originators of Orthopaedic Digital Imaging, are proud to announce the addition of four new sites of the MEDSTRAT ECHOESystem(TM) Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS) in the greater New York City area in the first half of Jan 2006 alone. The ECHOES installed systems will allow private office orthopedic practices on-line access and diagnostic analysis of their digital x-rays across multi-site facilities, remote locations and surgical centers. ECHOES' standard package includes an easy HL7 interface that works well with industry standard Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Practice Management Software (PMS) platforms. One of the sites is at the private practice of Dr. Enrique Ergas, a well known and respected surgeon in Manhattan, NY along with his partner Thomas Youm whom purchased the ECHOES system because MEDSTRAT could provide for the needs of a busy two man group with requirements of on-line remote x-ray image access from multiple locations at an affordable price.

MEDSTRAT's full PACS product offering includes customized workflow and diagnostic image viewing, as well as the advanced set of MEDSTRAT's orthopedic pre-operative case planning and templating tools. The platform provides the physicians with all the incredible benefits of going Digital at a reasonable cost vs. traditional radiology vendors that have attempted to enter the market with more cumbersome and expensive systems.

Mike Cowden, MEDSTRAT's CEO, states, "Orthopaedic Digital X-Ray is one of the hottest fields in all of Medicine, particularly imaging today, and MEDSTRAT has provided orthopedic surgeons with a platform that will enable them to fight back against rising film and chemical costs and declining reimbursements in addition to significantly improved workflow. We understand the financials of private practice and we want to partner with physicians to help them grow their business."

Coming off the most successful year in company history MEDSTRAT nearly doubled the number of installs vs. the previous year. January's success is just a continuation of how powerful the ECHOES platform is in terms of value to the orthopedic practice and its market acceptance in the orthopedic imaging space.

About Dr. Enrique Ergas

Dr. Enrique Ergas received his medical degree from the University of Chile Medical School. Dr. Ergas completed two years of residency in General Surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Dr. Ergas has been certified by the State Board of New York since 1967. His practice has been located in New York City since 1971. Dr. Ergas is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at New York University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ergas' hospital activities include serving as Director of Latin American Programs and Vice Chairman of the Tissue Committee at the Hospital for Joint Diseases-Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Ergas has lectured extensively in Orthopaedic Surgery both nationally and internationally, as well as being a moderator at multiple symposiums. He has received many awards including the Masada Award in 1974 for medical services at Hadassah Hospital in Israel as a combat surgeon during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Dr. Ergas also received a Certificate of Award from the State of Israel for volunteer work during the Yom Kippur War.

Dr. Ergas is affiliated with the Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Medical Center, and the NYU-HJD Joint Replacement Center of NYC.

About Thomas Youm

A native of Long Island, New York, Dr. Youm graduated cum laude from Yale University. He attended New York University Medical School where he was elected to the AOA honors society. He completed his orthopaedic residency at NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases. While in residency, Dr. Youm completed specialized training in orthopaedic trauma surgery at Seattle's Harborview Hospital, one of the busiest and most respected trauma centers in the country.

About MEDSTRAT, Inc.

MEDSTRAT originated digital x-ray imaging for orthopedic practices to meet the unique needs of the orthopedic surgeon and address the demanding challenges orthopedic surgeons face every day, including the pressure to reduce costs and deliver faster, higher-quality patient care. Based upon a proven, high-performing digital medical imaging platform, MEDSTRAT allows for the elimination of film, chemicals, and processing, increases workflow efficiency and staff productivity, and provides significant cost savings. For more information call 800-882-4224 or visit http://www.medstrat.com/ .

MEDSTRAT is a registered trademark of MEDSTRAT, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: Lesley Moore of MEDSTRAT, Inc., +1-800-882-4224

Web site: http://medstrat.com/