Contact: Marina Mortimer; Mortimer Communications
Phone: 508-746-5441
Email: marinamortimer@aol.com

Pembroke, MA, February 20, 2008 – Consumer’s Medical Resource (CMR), the pioneering company and creator of Medical Decision Support (MDS) , today released new findings that reveal that surgical procedures for seven complicated and serious medical diseases, including breast cancer, heart disease, and prostate cancer, vary greatly across the U.S. and, in one-third of cases, may be medically questionable or unnecessary.

Furthermore, CMR's research established that when seriously ill patients were engaged with highly specific, detailed information on their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options, they made informed medical decisions that led to healthier, and more personally satisfying, outcomes.

For over 18 months, from 2006 to 2007, CMR provided specific and integrated information to 300 patients with one of seven serious or chronic conditions. These included osteoarthritis (knee and/or hip), low back pain, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis and coronary artery disease. Patients were given leading physician input and information on surgeries and procedures, treatment options, hospital ratings, and other crucial data on their condition before making a decision.

CMR's study of patient behaviors and outcomes revealed the following:

• One in three patients achieved better medical care or "best practices,"
• 56% of patients eliminated or minimized medical side effects,
• Nearly one in three discontinued or avoided questionable treatments,
• One in four patients switched to a higher-quality doctor or provider,
• Seven in ten patients chose a better hospital for their condition,
• Nearly 100% reported improving quality and peace of mind as a result of their decisions,
• Three in four patients improved overall wellness,

"Our research conclusively demonstrates that patients have an enormous capacity to shape their diagnosis and outcomes by actively engaging the health care system," said David Hines, president and founder of CMR. "Leading corporations can save millions of dollars of health care expenditures by actively supporting their workers to be true health care consumers."