CHIP Verichip (MM)

Two hundred patients to receive VeriMed implantable microchip and enroll in VeriMed system DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ:CHIP), a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced today it has partnered with Alzheimer's Community Care, Inc., headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL, to conduct a study of the effectiveness of the VeriMed Patient Identification System in managing the records of Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. In the two-year, 200 patient study, participating individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers, would receive the VeriMed(TM) implantable microchip to provide emergency department staff easy access to those patients' identification and medical information. Alzheimer's disease is one of several medical conditions identified by the Company as being ideally suited for the benefits of the VeriMed system. Individuals with the disease or other forms of dementia are often unable to give necessary identifying information or critical medical history upon being admitted to a hospital. The VeriMed Patient Identification System allows physicians in the emergency room to scan the patient's arm and immediately obtain his or her unique 16-digit identification number. The physician can then access the VeriMed database and obtain the patient's name and address, caregiver contact information, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia disorder, name of physician, current medications, and current medical issues. Alzheimer's Community Care also believes it is important for caregivers to obtain the implantable VeriMed. If a caregiver becomes ill, the database will provide medical information that the patient would be unable to provide, as well as inform medical personnel that he or she is the caregiver for someone unable to care for themselves. All participants in the study will be voluntary. In the case of Alzheimer's patients unable to make medical decisions, the legally designated responsible party must give permission for the patient to participate. Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of VeriChip, commented, "We are extremely pleased to partner with Alzheimer's Community Care on this relevant study and believe participants will benefit from an improved standard of care when they present at a hospital emergency department. As an 'always there' technology, we believe our implantable VeriMed microchip and the VeriMed Patient Identification System is an essential solution and provides peace of mind for the families of those who cannot speak for themselves." "Alzheimer's Community Care has identified the VeriMed Patient Identification System as an important new component of helping Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers remain safe," said Mary Barnes, President and CEO of the organization. "We are partnering with VeriChip to make this new technology available to the particularly vulnerable population of Alzheimer's patients and caregivers currently being served by the agency." About Alzheimer's Community Care The mission of Alzheimer's Community Care, Inc. is to promote and provide specialized, compassionate, quality care to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, patients and their caregivers and ensure their safety, health and well being while preserving their dignity within a community-based environment. The organization serves as an innovative model of care which advocates for services and resources which are accessible, affordable, individualized, and evidence-based. About VeriChip Corporation VeriChip Corporation, headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, develops, markets and sells radio frequency identification, or RFID, systems used to identify, locate and protect people and assets. VeriChip's goal is to become the leading provider of RFID systems for people in the healthcare industry. VeriChip sells passive RFID systems for identification purposes and active RFID systems for local-area location and identification purposes. VeriChip recently began to market its VeriMed(TM) Patient Identification System for rapidly and accurately identifying people who arrive in an emergency room and are unable to communicate. This system uses the first human-implantable passive RFID microchip, the implantable VeriChip(TM), cleared for medical use in October 2004 by the United States Food and Drug Administration. VeriChip Corporation is majority-owned by Applied Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSX), which also owns a majority position in Digital Angel Corporation (AMEX:DOC). For more information on VeriChip, please call 1-800-970-2447, or email . Additional information can be found online at http://www.verichipcorp.com/. Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances. Contact: VeriChip Corporation The Ruth Group Allison Tomek Nick Laudico (investors) 561-805-8000 (646) 536-7030 Jason Rando (media) (646) 536-7025 DATASOURCE: VeriChip Corporation CONTACT: Allison Tomek of VeriChip Corporation, +1-561-805-8000, ; Investors, Nick Laudico of The Ruth Group, +1-646-536-7030, or , Media, Jason Rando, +1-646-536-7025, Web site: http://www.verichipcorp.com/

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