BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avaya Inc. , today announced that healthcare providers attending HIMSS next week will have the opportunity to learn how intelligent communications can improve patient safety and create greater efficiency for staff and operations. Avaya is a leading global provider of communications applications, systems and services for businesses, healthcare and government organizations. HiMSS 07, one of the largest trade shows focused exclusively on information technology for the healthcare industry, is scheduled for February 25 - March 1 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.

Communication errors are the leading root cause of healthcare-related events resulting in death or serious injury, according to the Joint Commission for Healthcare Accreditation, the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare(1). Avaya Intelligent Communications can help reduce the potential for errors by making it possible to quickly reach the right person with the right information -- regardless of their location. Avaya does this through a flexible, open-standards approach that allows the integration of multiple types of communications networks, applications and devices.

To bring further focus to the challenge of providing fast, accurate communications that can improve outcomes, Dr. Christoph U. Lehmann, clinical IT director for Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital, will be joined by Avaya Healthcare Solutions Director, Guy Clinch. Dr. Lehmann and Mr. Clinch will discuss and demonstrate how unified communications, and communications- enabling healthcare processes can improve performance and quality of patient care (Monday, February 26 - 2:15 p.m. Wireless and Mobility Theater -- Booth 273).

In Booth 1075 on the exhibit Floor, Avaya and members of its DeveloperConnection community will showcase more of the communications solutions that extend consistency, security and business continuity in voice applications across multiple locations. Avaya enables healthcare organizations to cost-effectively migrate to these newer technologies to help manage budget impact while gaining the benefits. Among the solutions scheduled to be shown at HiMSS are:

* Avaya Converged Communications -- including the Avaya Mobile Communications System, a complete voice and data solution that maintains and restores critical communications in emergency or temporary situations. The MCS can be quickly deployed anywhere over cellular, LAN, wireless, PSTN or satellite networks. * Avaya Unified Communications -- including integrated messaging with IBM Lotus and Microsoft applications and mobility solutions that extend desktop calls to wifi or cellular devices, PCs and laptops. * Avaya Customer Care Solutions -- including a web-based, "Smart Scheduler." The Smart Schedule allows patients to self-select an appointment time and reminds them via voice and email of the appointment. Patients can also request to be wait-listed for a time already scheduled and automatically notified if that time opens up.

Avaya DeveloperConnection members -- independent software and hardware vendors who build targeted applications for healthcare needs that are certified for interoperability with Avaya solutions -- who will also be exhibiting in the Avaya booth include:

Aruba Networks provides an enterprise mobility solution that enables secure access to data, voice and video applications across wireless and wireline enterprise networks. Igeacare Systems, Inc. brings the different features and functions of a traditional nurse call device into one system, that tightly integrates with ACM & IP Office for healthcare organizations LiteScape Technologies develops applications for the healthcare industry, such as bed monitoring, directory access and staff and patient self- service that connect solutions from disparate vendors to enable users to link business applications to Avaya phones or any IP device. SDC Solutions provides an integrated suite of call handling applications which deliver critical on-call and contact information to physicians, operators, and staff. SDC products can be used together as part of a Total Call Handling Solution, or individually based on a customer's needs.

Avaya and members of its Global Partner Program provide secure, reliable and innovative communications solutions for a number of healthcare organizations, including St. Joseph's Mercy Medical System, Cook County public health including John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, Provident and Oak Forest, Visiting Nurse Services of New York, AmeriHealth Mercy, Sentara Healthcare and many more world-renowned facilities and organizations.

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500(R). Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services.

Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: http://www.avaya.com/.

(1) See http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/FA465646-5F5F-4543- AC8F-E8AF6571E372/0/root_cause_se.jpg

CONTACT: Media Relations: Deb Kline, +1-908-953-6179, klined@avaya.com,
or Investor Relations: Matt Booher, +1-908-953-7500, mbooher@avaya.com, both
of Avaya Inc.

Web site: http://www.avaya.com/