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Spring 2011 SPECIAL EDITION Grace Under Pressure - From the Office of President and CEO John Kershaw, Sysmex America, Inc. - On March 11, 2011 at 2:46 p.m. a devastating ¥30 million (~$370,000 US) to the Japanese Red Cross earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter scale shook and other organizations to support humanitarian efforts the nation of Japan. This was followed by a tsunami and assist in the recovery of the affected region. that swept away homes and cars and ultimately resulted in significant loss of life. As of this writing, the death Sysmex Operations toll is over 13,000 and more than 14,000 remain Because of the location of Sysmex Corporation, our missing. One hundred fifty thousand people are in facilities were not in any danger and did not sustain shelters around the country. Hundreds of thousands any damage as a result of these events. The location of households are without electricity and water. Nearly of Sysmex Corporation also has meant that we have 49,000 buildings have been fully destroyed, washed been able to maintain all business operations without away or burned down. The Japanese government has interruption. The company’s manufacturing and estimated damage from the earthquake and tsunami at 16 – 25 trillion yen ($190 – production facilities and Research & Development bases 295 billion USD) the top estimate, making it the world’s costliest disaster. According have similarly been unaffected by these recent events. to the Foreign Ministry, 134 countries and 39 international organizations have offered Kobe’s seaport and nearby airports are fully operational assistance. as well. Additionally, Sysmex has conducted risk assessments As president of Sysmex America and as an American, I watched from afar the which conclude there are U.S. and non-U.S. alternative aftermath of the natural disasters that struck Japan on March 11. What has sources for virtually all materials needed for every aspect inspired me most since then is the profound strength and the respect for one of our business. Shipment and materials status reviews another that the Japanese people continue to demonstrate to the world. are conducted daily. The bottom line is that the Sysmex According to Journalism.org, in Japan, where an estimated 10 million people are “store” is open and we want you to feel comfortable no active Twitter users, people were using the site within hours and days of the matter what. ongoing disasters to exchange information about family and friends and about the rolling power failures. There were messages that showed the courageous spirit of Supplies the Japanese people, for example: — Reagent Supply is Assured “At today’s morning assembly, our boss said, ‘no matter what happens to Japan now, Sysmex America manufactures reagents in Mundelein, IL do not show worried faces and do not forget the hospitality to your customers and and maintains a significant supply of both raw materials make them feel comfortable, no matter what.’ I was touched by this. I guess I’ll work and a supply of finished goods at all times. We also have harder. The store is now open!” a backup plan and infrastructure in place that facilitates receipt of reagents from other Sysmex manufacturing As our customers, facilities from around the globe. you are aware that Sysmex America — Spare Parts Supply is Assured is a subsidiary Sysmex America maintains a significant supply of spare of Sysmex parts. We do this through both service ‘trunk stock’ and Corporation, Kobe, through centralized storage and distribution via UPS. We Japan. Kobe is also have a backup plan and infrastructure in place that located in Japan’s facilitates receipt of parts from other Sysmex service southern region facilities from around the world, if needed. – more than 400 — Instrument Access Is Assured miles away from the epicenter of Sysmex America maintains an inventory of analyzers Japan’s March 11 which are available to ship for order fulfillment. earthquake. We are Instruments also are readily available from Japan, as this extremely grateful overseas inventory has been unaffected by the disaster. that all of our employees are accounted for and are well. However, Sysmex As stated previously, all Sysmex Corporation business employees remain deeply concerned about their fellow citizens in the affected areas of Japan. As such, Sysmex Corporation has provided a monetary donation of (continued on page 2) Published by: © 2011 Sysmex America, Inc. All rights reserved 2 Grace Under Pressure (continued) operations in Japan, the Kobe seaport and nearby Charitable Soccer Match Raises Funds for Japan airports are fully operational. Therefore, Sysmex America will continue to supply product to meet Sysmex Brazil (Latin America & the Caribbean Islands) aided Japan’s natural current and forecasted demand. If needed, we also will disasters relief efforts by supporting the Soccer Stars Game sponsored and work with our Sysmex sister companies from around organized by JAPANCHAM, an entity representing the Chamber of Commerce, the world to fulfill critical needs. Industry Brazil and Japan. The April 7 game was held in Curitiba, Brazil, the home Peak Performance Program of Sysmex Reagents Brazil. I also want to remind you of Sysmex America’s Peak According to Yuki Hyogu, Sysmex Latin America & the Caribbean Business Plan Performance Program. This program is a rich and Manager, “I am very proud to be a part of this effort. Japan is in need of help for comprehensive set of systems and resources that rebuilding. Such an event as this inspires hope for the Japanese people during a includes a range of support functions by our staff difficult time.” including supplies management, technical assistance and training. It also ensures availability of goods and materials required to keep our customers’ operations fully functional. Benevolence and Inspiration Finally, I want to note that I have been inspired by the generosity of our Sysmex customers such as Sutter Health System. This system, which is a network of hospitals, physicians and other healthcare service providers in Northern California, announced a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. In Sutter’s announcement the CEO, Pat Fry, is quoted as saying, “Supporting global relief efforts is a natural extension of our not-for-profit mission. The American Red Cross is a long-time, valued community partner of Sutter Health, and we’re proud to support its humanitarian work.” Some of the best players and former players in Brazilian soccer history played in Sutter’s donation was particularly meaningful to the Soccer Stars Game including Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico, Sysmex employees. But, this type of gesture is not (former coach of the national Japanese team); Antonio de Oliveira Filho, better uncommon for Sutter as they are committed to creating known as Careca; Carlos Dunga (former coach of the national Brazilian team); healthier communities through programs and services Gilmar Rinaldi, Rai Souza Vieira de Oliveira, Djalma Feitosa Dias, better known that respond to public needs. In 2009 alone, Sutter as Djalminha; Romário de Souza Faria, better known as Romário and Paulo Rink, invested $667 million USD in care and services for the among others. underserved. I’m also proud to say that many of our employees are providing charitable contributions to support Japan’s disaster recovery and relief efforts through Sysmex America’s Charitable Giving Policy. With this policy, all donations provided to the Canadian/American Red Cross by Sysmex employees are matched 50 cents on the dollar by Sysmex America. On behalf of Sysmex, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the numerous people, customers and companies who continue to express their concern for our Japanese brethren and provide support in the wake of this unprecedented tragedy. John Kershaw President & CEO Sysmex America, Inc. Sysmex joined thousands of people to support the cause and to watch some of the best players in the world play on behalf of Japan’s rebuilding efforts. 3 Is Predictive Hematology in the Forecast? A look at new parameter utilization at Georgetown Hospital System, South Carolina The Georgetown Hospital System is located just south of Myrtle Beach, SC, a well know golfing and tourist destination. This very progressive system has grown rapidly in recent years and in addition to its two community hospitals, Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Waccamaw Community Hospital; the System includes the Francis B. Ford Cancer Treatment Center, an Imaging, and Breast Health Center with open MRI and digital mammography, and a Wound Healing Center that offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The organization also includes a health and fitness center, numerous adult and pediatric outpatient rehabilitation sites, two At the Georgetown Hospital System, physicians can request a pain management centers, and an acute inpatient rehabilitation peripheral smear for pathologist review. According to Barnhill, “As center. With 131 and 167 beds respectively, these hospitals have soon as our Medical Director was aware of the availability of these equipped their hematology laboratories with Sysmex XE-2100™ parameters, they requested Ret-He and IPF be included in the CBC Automated Hematology Analyzers as primary instruments and with differential and reticulocyte results he was already receiving Sysmex XS-1000i™ Automated Hematology Analyzers for backup. for peripheral smear pathology reviews.” Charlynn Vida Barnhill, Senior Technologist of Hematology/ Although the laboratory staff is preparing an informative flyer to Coagulation/Urinalysis and Serology has been at Georgetown re-introduce the clinical utility of RET-He and IPF parameters to Memorial Hospital for 18 years and helped lead the switch to attending physicians and house staff, effective way to jumpstart Sysmex instruments in 2007. “We were having quality problems utilization of the parameters is by providing them to for use by with retics and platelet counts as well as instruments ‘going down’ pathologists when examining peripheral and needing to call for service too much of the time,” says Barnhill.