KCI contributes advanced wound care products for the Haiti relief effort

Jan 19 2010

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced its contribution of more than $2 million dollars worth of advanced wound care products to the Haiti relief effort. The in-kind donation includes KCI’s industry-leading Active Healing Solutions^TM and Therapeutic Support Systems^TM products designed to help treat complex and hard-to-heal wounds. KCI will collaborate with Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) and Project Medishare to place products in the hands of medical personnel in Haiti.

“Haiti’s lack of access to proper medical equipment can turn even minor injuries, such as trauma to broken bones, into a serious and potentially fatal issue”

“Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti, the injured and those who have lost loved ones,” said Catherine Burzik, KCI president and CEO. “The people of KCI feel a great responsibility to do all they can to help. We’re so grateful that every day around the world, our products help people in the worst of conditions heal. This situation in Haiti will require healing in the most significant way, and we hope that our donation makes one measure of difference on the front lines of this terrible disaster.”

KCI is providing V.A.C.^® Freedom Therapy units to help treat individuals with compound fractures and large tissue deficits at high risk of infection. KCI’s AtmosAir^® 9000AR Mattress Replacement System and RIK™ Fluid Overlay will aid tissue redistribution during the healing process for burn victims and those suffering from tissue loss.

“Haiti’s lack of access to proper medical equipment can turn even minor injuries, such as trauma to broken bones, into a serious and potentially fatal issue,” said Dr. Lewis G. Zirkle Jr., M.D., orthopedic surgery, and president and founder of SIGN. “Sending the KCI V.A.C.^® Freedom and other devices to Haiti will better equip medical professionals to treat the injured. At the end of the day, there will be people who have arms and legs because of KCI.”

KCI also is planning a program in which the company will match employees’ financial contributions to the Haiti relief effort.