Hill-Rom Reports Fourth Quarter Revenue Growth of 14.1 Percent to $424 Million and Adjusted Earnings Per Fully Diluted Share From Continuing Operations of $0.58, an Increase of 52.6 Percent From the ...(uisition to produce meaningful operating...)

Other fourth quarter revenue highlights regarding Hill-Rom business segments include:

-- North America Acute Care. Hill-Rom North America Acute Care revenue increased $21.9 million, or 8.7 percent, to $272.5 million. Capital sales increased 7.0 percent, or $14.0 million, due in part to strong customer reaction to our new TotalCare Connect(TM) ICU bed platform. Our healthcare information technology unit also showed good growth due to the September launch of its new, all digital Navicare (TM) NurseCall system.

Rental revenue increased by $7.9 million, or 15.1 percent, during the quarter, due to sharply higher volumes from 2007 product launches in bariatric and wound care products, and the impact of strategic adjustments made to our sales channel implemented over the last fiscal year. Revenues also benefited from prior year rental receivable reserve adjustments which did not repeat in the current year, while lower MEMS revenues partially offset this favorability.

-- International and Surgical. Hill-Rom International and Surgical capital and rental revenue increased $19.3 million, or 23.0 percent, to $103.3 million, principally driven by strong performance in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Capital sales increased $17.1 million, or 24.1 percent. Rental revenue was also higher by $2.2 million, or 17.1 percent. Our surgical unit, Allen Medical, recorded continued mid-teens growth driven primarily by the acceptance of new products.

-- North America Post-Acute Care. Hill-Rom North America Post-Acute Care revenue increased $11.5 million, or 29.6 percent, to $50.3 million. Capital sales revenue increased by $2.0 million, or 24.0 percent, primarily due to sales channel initiatives and new product sales. Rental revenue increased $9.5 million, or 31.1 percent, primarily related to increased activity associated with our home care rentals and re
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