DuPont Provides Technology for Washington Hospital Center's Emergency Department

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 To help address infectioncontrol during everyday hospital operations and minimize risks during times ofhealth crisis, DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced that one of its healthcareproducts, DuPont(TM) Corian(R) solid surface, has been selected by theWashington Hospital Center for its emergency department. The product recentlywas incorporated into a children's ward at the Roswell Park Cancer Institutein Buffalo, N.Y.

Washington Hospital Center is using the technology as part of its visionto build ER One, which will be an all-risks-ready emergency care facility,created to provide emergency medical care during acts of terrorism andemerging illness and built to function fully as a hospital emergencydepartment during daily operations. The current phase of the project,entitled "Bridge to ER One," will test these new innovations and technologies.

"Our DuPont innovations are designed to provide solutions that protectlives," said Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager -- DuPontBuilding Innovations. "Corian(R) is one of our products that uniquely meetsboth the stringent safety specifications of the healthcare industry as well asthe aesthetic demands of healthcare designers."

The 2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and HealthcareFacilities has defined the 18 preferred characteristics of the idealhealthcare surface to help facilitate improved infection control. Corian(R)meets all 18 of these characteristics, including being nonporous, seamless,durable and not supporting microbial growth when cleaned properly.

"Corian(R) was selected for the Bridge to ER One because it is a seamless,easy-to-clean surface material ideally suited for healthcare environments,"said Dr. Mark Smith, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Washington HospitalCenter. "There is solid evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to thespread of infections. Eliminating grout lines and crevices through the use ofCorian(R) remove a potential source of microbial contamination from thepatient care unit."

DuPont(TM) Corian(R) donated a total of 193 sheets and 17 sinks made ofthe solid surface material to this phase of the ER One project. Corian(R) wasutilized for selected areas of the emergency department, including patientroom wall-cladding, nurses' stations surfacing, lobby chair rails, bathroomshower stalls and integrated sinks/vanities.

In conjunction with the Centers for Health Design, Washington HospitalCenter will conduct evidence-based research over a two-year period, allowingstaffers to test and adjust key elements for the full ER One, which isexpected to open in six to 10 years.

Washington Hospital Center is a not-for-profit 926-bed acute care teachingand research hospital based in Northwest Washington. It is the largestprivate medical center in the nation's capital and among the 25 largesthospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Hospital Center consistently ranksamong the nation's top hospitals in the research and treatment ofcardiovascular and kidney disease and provides cutting-edge therapies to treatcancer, stroke and acute neurological injury and disease. Washington HospitalCenter also is home to MedSTAR Trauma and Transport and is the region's adultburn facility.

DuPont(TM) Corian(R) is a nonporous, high-performing, easy-to-maintainsolid surface material that, when properly used or cleaned, does not supportthe growth of mold or mildew. Non-toxic and non-allergenic to humans,Corian(R) has received NSF/ANSI 51 Certification for food contact and Class 1(A) fire rating. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Guidelines forDesign and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities recommends usingsolid surfacing to help facilitate improved infection control.

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