New Database Collects Data and Provides a Roadmap to the Decision Makers and Opportunities in the Canadian Health IT Market

Branham Group, Courtyard Group, and Longwoods Publishing Partner with
HIMSS Analytics to Deliver HIMSS Analytics Canadian Database(SM)

   CHICAGO, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HIMSS Analytics, known for its
healthcare information technology market research efforts in the U.S.,
Australia, and Europe, has partnered with Branham Group as the exclusive
reseller in Canada for its new Web-based database to expand industry knowledge
about the Canadian healthcare IT market. Additionally, HIMSS Analytics is
working with Courtyard Group, a well-respected consulting firm among Canadian
healthcare provider organizations to assist with expert analysis and research
opportunities using Canadian health IT data. HIMSS Analytics has also agreed
to provide Longwoods Publishing's editors and authors access to its healthcare
information from Canada as well as the United States and elsewhere. These
resources will allow for the analysis of comparable multi-country health IT
data to glean best practices. HIMSS Analytics and Courtyard Group experts will
support and participate in the Longwoods editorial program and so share their
insights and expertise more widely.

   (LOGO:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060801/CGTU009LOGO-a )

   Understanding the Canadian health information technology market demands
access to credible and current information, data available in the HIMSS
Analytics Canadian Database. "This unique product provides extensive and
strategic information about the Canadian healthcare IT market," said Wayne
Gudbranson, president and CEO of Branham Group Inc.  "It is an interactive
tool that is constantly updated so that providers, vendors or anyone
interested in this market can understand and stay on top of market trends."

   Reported at the hospital and Regional Health Authority levels, the
information in the database includes market share data for more than 130
software applications and technologies.  The key contact information appears
at the hospital, Regional Health Authority, or provincial levels.  Market
segmentation, sizing statistics, and software and hardware purchasing plan
information also offer users additional data relevant to understanding and
working in the Canadian market.

   The comprehensive HIMSS Analytics Canadian Database simplifies the search
for relevant data with several interactive tools, including:

   -- Standard downloadable reports help users understand market share,
purchasing plans, and outsourcing, consulting and sales opportunities.  The
reports provide an extensive review of the market including PACS, ambulatory
and wireless data.

   -- Search capabilities let users evaluate the current IT environment of
facilities or healthcare systems in the database with data downloadable in a
PDF or HTML format.

   -- An ad hoc query/report writer function simplifies user-defined queries
with details downloadable to a spreadsheet format.

   -- Ongoing customer support provided to every user.

   HIMSS Analytics collected IT-related information for Canadian hospitals,
data similar to what has been collected on U.S. hospitals and now populates
the HIMSS Analytics Database (derived from the Dorenfest IHDS+ Databas(TM)).
Technology adoption in Canadian healthcare organizations is tracked by
collecting information on hospital demographics, use and implementation of IT
products and services, and buying trends in software and hardware
applications.

   Used to compare Canadian hospitals among themselves, the data also
compares these hospitals to U.S. hospital peers using the HIMSS Analytics
Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model(SM). This unique tool objectively
measures a healthcare organization's progress toward electronic patient record
implementation.

   Visit http://www.himssanalytics.org/docs/stage6whitepaper.pdf for more
information on the HIMSS Analytics EMR Adoption Model.

   Canadian organizations interested in the database can contact
ehealth@branhamgroup.com to reach the Branham Group, the exclusive reseller in
Canada.

   About HIMSS Analytics:  HIMSS Analytics is a wholly owned not-for-profit
subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
(HIMSS). The company collects and analyzes healthcare information related to
IT processes and environments, products, IS department composition and costs,
IS department management metrics, healthcare trends and purchase-related
decisions.  HIMSS Analytics delivers high quality products, services and
analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, healthcare IT
companies, state governments, financial companies, pharmaceutical companies,
and consulting firms.  Visit www.himssanalytics.org for more information.

   About The Branham Group: Based in Ottawa, Canada, Branham Group Inc.
(www.branhamgroup.com) is a market research and management consulting company
serving the global information technology market and industry. Branham Group
assists information technology companies and related institutions in achieving
market success through its planning, marketing and partnering services, and
through the delivery of unique multi-client research programs. Branham has a
strong heritage of providing timely market research and analysis on the
deployment of information technology products and services. Pursuant to this
focus Branham annually produces the most comprehensive "benchmark" study of
ICT utilization in the Canadian Healthcare market entitled "eHealth in
Canada."

   About Courtyard Group:  Courtyard Group is a healthcare transformation
company.  We are 150 consultants strong, operating across Canada, the US and
the UK.  We have a singular, unwavering focus on delivering practical,
concrete results across international healthcare environments.  We are
dedicated to our clients and do whatever it takes to enable their success.

   About Longwoods Publishing Corporation: Longwoods publishes
administrative, academic and scientific research reports as well as commentary
and information related to health sciences and health care. The authors,
editors and editorial advisors are committed to providing timely, accurate and
comparable information. Published reports and learning programs inform health
policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise
awareness of the factors that contribute to good health. Global collaboration
and cooperation is designed to share information to enable improved delivery
of care for everyone, everywhere.

   CONTACT: Joyce Lofstrom of HIMSS, +1-312-915-9237,  jlofstrom@himss.org