LodgeNet Healthcare and SWANK HealthCare deliver the first HD movie package for healthcare environments

LodgeNet Healthcare, a division of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET), today announced they have deployed the first all digital, high definition healthcare solution at three facilities within NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore), headquartered in Evanston, Illinois.

NorthShore's Evanston, Glenbrook and Highland Park Hospitals, located in the Chicago area, are the first facilities to offer their patients a full-circle digital patient television experience. In addition to providing an HD interactive patient television system, HD off-air channels and DIRECTV® satellite programming, LodgeNet and SWANK HealthCare have delivered the first HD movie package for healthcare environments.

SWANK HealthCare is part of the largest non-theatrical distributor of motion pictures for public performance. The cooperation between LodgeNet and SWANK allow patients at these facilities to watch movies on-demand in high definition. "It was only a matter of time before hospitals caught up with the technology available today," said Tim Swank, Chairman for SWANK Motion Pictures. "LodgeNet's integration makes delivering our content simple and easy for the hospital and enjoyable for the patients. We're excited to be a part of this project."

Industry experts project that more than 120 thousand HD television sets will be purchased this year for use in healthcare settings. As hospitals purchase televisions that are capable of more than the traditional CRT televisions, they are looking for assistance in leveraging the added features and benefits. "Hospitals that make the decision to buy attractive HDTV's want to showcase that purchase," explained Gary Kolbeck, General Manager of LodgeNet Healthcare. "When patients and visitors see a flat-panel LCD in the room, they expect to have access to HD content. LodgeNet has extensive experience in the construction, support and delivery of the content and architecture hospitals are now demanding. From HD digital viewing to full interactive television with clinical integration, we can help them get the most from their new televisions."

Hospitals across the country are finding ways to improve the patient experience. Many of those improvements include simple amenities to make the hospital stay more comfortable. LodgeNet is well positioned to assist facilities with these improvements because of their proven experience in hospitality. "Our top priority is to make our patients as comfortable as possible during their hospital stay. We feel the investment in this digital television technology will help to accomplish that goal," said Scott Hallen, Manager of Multi-Media Systems at NorthShore.

NorthShore plans to install the digital television upgrade at its fourth facility, Skokie Hospital, in 2010.