GHX data pool is publishing supplier data to the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) and making it available to providers and other data subscribers; market adoption of the healthcare-focused data pool is increasing

LOUISVILLE, Colo., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- GHX, LLC has launched the GHX Health ConneXion(TM) data pool, a healthcare-focused data pool certified by GS1's Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). In addition to equity member participation, DeKroyft-Metz & Co., a distributor; and University Hospital in Augusta, Ga., are already utilizing the Health ConneXion data pool to publish and subscribe to certified, industry-standard data in the GDSN. Additional trading partners, including The University of Kentucky HealthCare (UK) and Aurora Health Care (Wisconsin), have also signed agreements to use the GHX data pool to participate in the GDSN for their data synchronization needs. Suppliers and providers participating in the Health ConneXion data pool will share their experiences during a panel discussion at the GHX Supply Chain Summit in Nashville, June 1-3, 2009. For more information, visit:

http://www.ghx.com/summit/2009/summitstandards.html.

Healthcare organizations can leverage their existing connection to GHX to more readily participate in the GDSN without significant implementation costs. GHX currently connects the majority of hospitals in the U.S., as well as hospitals in Canada and nine European countries, to the suppliers from whom they purchase a large percentage of their products. Healthcare suppliers and providers not integrated to GHX have the option to participate in the Health ConneXion data pool as a standalone service.

"GHX was created by and for the healthcare industry and, as such, has a unique understanding of the needs of healthcare organizations. As part of the GDSN, GHX can best help transform healthcare's growing appreciation for supply chain standards into real value by enabling us not only to participate in the GDSN, but also to utilize GS1 standard product identifiers and organization/location identifiers in our business processes," said Mike Brown, director, Materials Management, University Hospital.

Standardization can make it possible for all trading partners to utilize the same information from the point of manufacture to the point of use. "As both a buyer and a seller of medical products, distributors can benefit in a variety of ways from participating in Health ConneXion," says Gary Haluska, president of DeKroyft-Metz. "We can make sure we have accurate data on the products we purchase from manufacturers and in turn can make sure that we are delivering products to the right place and at the right price."

Assigning industry standard identifiers to products and locations can deliver numerous benefits to healthcare including, but not limited to, assisting providers in making sure they are paying the correct contract price for their purchases and helping ensure the right products are used in patient care.

GHX is owned by representatives of the entire healthcare supply chain, and as such is focused on meeting the needs of both buying and selling organizations. "Working with a significant percentage of the healthcare provider and supplier community, GHX has garnered extensive data and content management expertise," says GHX Chief Executive Officer Bruce Johnson. "We believe this uniquely positions us to deliver a solution that will facilitate healthcare's movement toward greater standards adoption and implementation."

Awareness of the importance of standards in the healthcare industry has grown significantly in recent years. As a result, many healthcare organizations have undertaken efforts to assign GS1 Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTINs) to their products and Global Location Numbers (GLNs) to their specific organizations and ship-to locations.

"GS1 Healthcare welcomes Health ConneXion as the newest GDSN-certified data pool," said Chris Adcock, president, Healthcare, GS1Global Office. "GHX is a trusted partner in the healthcare supply chain globally, and its participation in the GDSN, along with other certified data pools, will enable GS1 Healthcare, as a voluntary global user group, to deliver the benefits of standards to healthcare faster and more efficiently."

About GHX

As the business hub for healthcare, GHX enables healthcare providers and suppliers in North America and Europe to reduce costs and improve margins by automating processes, reducing operating expenses and increasing knowledge-based decision making. Products and services include trading partner connectivity, order and contract management and validation, data synchronization, sales force automation and business intelligence. Equity owners of GHX are Abbott Exchange, Inc.; AmerisourceBergen Corp.; Baxter Healthcare Corp.; B. Braun Medical Inc.; Becton, Dickinson & Co.; Boston Scientific Corp.; Cardinal Health, Inc.; Covidien; C.R. Bard, Inc.; Fisher Scientific International, Inc.; GE Healthcare; HCA; Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.; McKesson Corp.; Medtronic USA, Inc.; Owens & Minor; Premier, Inc.; Siemens; University HealthSystem Consortium; and VHA Inc. For more information, visit www.ghx.com.

SOURCE GHX, LLC

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