News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Alven Weil
Premier Inc.
704.733.5797

Premier healthcare alliance releases guidelines for successful conversion of endomechanical and suture clinical preference products

Series to outline how members can achieve significant savings through product conversion and standardization

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 26, 2008) – The Premier healthcare alliance today released the first in a series of guidelines to aid member hospitals in the conversion and standardization of clinical preference products. The initial module focuses on endomechanical and suture products, providing advice on how to conduct an assessment to determine the feasibility of conversion.

“Achieving significant product savings through successfully implementing a conversion in clinical preference categories has been difficult and complex for hospitals,” said Premier Purchasing Partners President Mike Alkire. “By offering a roadmap for success, Premier is further highlighting our goal to maximize the efficiencies and financial health of our members.”

Sue Walters, RN, Supply Chain project manager, Fairview Health Services, said, “Successful endomechanical conversions take time and require a thorough investigation of the financial and clinical impacts. Premier’s step-by-step guide incorporates planning, execution and follow-up to help members achieve success.”

According to the guidelines, two components necessary for a successful evaluation and conversion are a clinical focus team and a logistical/supply chain focus team. Working cross-functionally, the two teams will develop and manage the conversion process, providing input from purchase to patient and ensuring positive outcomes.

Premier’s steps to a successful conversion of clinical preference products include:

Identifying the opportunity – Consider financial and clinical impact analysis; understand the current market; and develop a consensus and recommendations.
Planning for evaluation – Preparation of an evaluation plan and the initiation of a product evaluation process.
Executing the evaluation process – Utilize data and knowledge collected to fully assess the feasibility of the recommendations.
Transitioning to a new product – Finalize impact analysis and communicate decision, manage inventory and compliance.

Premier plans to release additional modules in other clinical preference products, including orthopedics.

About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient
Serving 1,700 U.S. hospitals and more than 49,000 other healthcare sites, the Premier healthcare alliance and its members are transforming healthcare together. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier operates one of the leading healthcare purchasing networks and the nation's most comprehensive repository of hospital clinical and financial information. A subsidiary operates one of the nation's largest policy-holder owned, hospital professional liability risk-retention groups. A world leader in helping healthcare providers deliver dramatic improvements in care, Premier is working with the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve hospital performance. Headquartered in San Diego, Premier has offices in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, and Washington. For more information, visit www.premierinc.com. Established to improve the health of communities, Premier and its members are transforming healthcare together.