News in brief - Nov. 17, 2003

Earnings, income up for Select Medical - U.S. Oncology income grows - SureScript certifies software

Earnings, income up for Select Medical

Select Medical Corp., an operator of specialty hospitals and rehabilitation clinics around the United States, reported net income of $18.6 million during the third quarter of 2003, which is a 99% increase over the $9.4 million reported during the same period of 2002.

The company, based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., also reported a similar rise in earnings per share. The company earned 35 cents per share during the third quarter this year, compared with 19 cents per share during the same period last year.

Select Medical Corp. operates 77 long-term acute care hospitals in 24 states and also owns more than 800 rehabilitation clinics in the United States and Canada.

U.S. Oncology income grows

U.S. Oncology Inc., the Houston-based company that manages cancer centers and oncology practices in 30 states, reported net income of $17.9 million, or 20 cents a share, in the third quarter of 2003, compared with a loss of $36.2 million, or 37 cents a share, in the same period of 2002. The firm also saw an 18.9% increase in revenues, from $539.8 million in the third quarter of 2002 to $641.8 million in the third quarter this year.

SureScript certifies software

SureScript Systems Inc. has certified the electronic prescribing software of Rockville, Md.-based DrFirst Inc. as compatible with its network. DrFirst's product is the second to be certified by SureScript, which is rolling out a national electronic prescribing network linking physicians directly to pharmacies. SureScript also has certified a product from InstantDx LLC, Gaithersburg, Md.