Novation Innovative Technology Expo To Showcase Products that Improve Patient Outcomes, Increase Safety

IRVING, Texas, Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Novation today announced that 90 suppliers – nearly double compared to last year – will be showcasing innovative medical products that improve patient care or reduce the risk of harm to patients and care givers at the annual Novation Innovative Technology Expo on Oct. 2, 2013, at the Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas.

The event creates a unique opportunity for medical technology suppliers of all sizes to gain direct feedback of their innovative products from key hospital member clinical experts and health care providers. This includes medical device companies who have submitted products for evaluation or have already been awarded a contract by Novation, the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the 65,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc., UHC, Children's Hospital Association, and Provista LLC.

For the first time, all hospital members attending the Expo will be able to provide instant feedback through the use of Apple iPads outfitted with optical scanners to read QR tags.  All of the evaluators will have the ability to scan a special QR code right at the supplier's booth which will bring up an instant survey.  Once completed, the survey results and comments from members will be delivered in real time directly to the Novation team.

 "We constantly scour the industry to bring the members we serve innovative product options that help provide better, safer care," said Debbie Archer, director, procurement and innovative technology, Novation. "Our event is an effective way to bring together suppliers and clinicians in one place at one time so we can better evaluate technologies. The Innovative Technology effort is one of several complementary programs that leverage our core supply chain contracting services to help hospitals address the new realities in health care, one that rewards high quality patient care at the lowest possible cost throughout an entire medical organization."

According to Olya Carter, senior clinical manager, innovative technology at Novation, the showcase will feature many exciting products in three main areas.  "Several product categories will focus on helping hospitals achieve improved patient care outcomes.  For example, there are wound care technologies designed to speed healing time and prevent complications common with extensive tissue damage.  In the patient safety area, members will be evaluating new products designed to prevent 'never-events' such as hospital acquired infections or surgical suite errors.  There also is an emphasis on heightened methods of protection for the health care worker including more protective facial masks and improved pharmaceutical compounding isolators," said Carter.

Since 2003, more than 1500 new and innovative technologies have been submitted through the Novation Innovative Technology program. Novation works with member-led councils and task forces to identify and review potentially innovative technology. Once these teams have evaluated the technology and determined that it provides an incremental clinical benefit over existing products, a contract for the innovative technology may be awarded outside of Novation's competitive bid cycle. Any supplier is free to submit its technology for review under Novation's Innovative Technology program.

To learn more about Novation's Innovative Technology program, visit www.novationco.com/expertise/technology.

About Novation, Winner of the Ethics Inside® Certification

Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the more than 65,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and UHC, two national health care alliances, Children's Hospital Association, an alliance of the nation's leading pediatric facilities, and Provista, LLC. Novation provides alliance members with sourcing services, as well as information and data services. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 600 suppliers. VHA, UHC, and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchase approximately $43 billion in 2012. Novation earned the coveted Ethics Inside Certification from Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in corporate ethics and compliance. Novation was also named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list, and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions. To learn more about Novation, please visit www.novationco.com and follow @NovationNews.

SOURCE Novation