Sysmex America Signs Two Contracts with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sysmex America, Inc., a global leader in medical diagnostic testing equipment and information systems technology, today announces it has been awarded five-year Cost-Per-Test Agreements with Veterans in Partnership Healthcare Network (VISN 11) and VISN Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22), two Veteran Integrated Service Networks.  These two contracts will enable VISN hospitals and laboratories to access Sysmex® XN-Series Automated Hematology Analyzers with the ability to integrate state-of-the-art hemoglobin A1c testing for fast, accurate results and enhanced patient care. 

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Under these hematology standardization agreements effective September 13 and September 15, 2013 respectively, Sysmex America will supply state-of-the-art Sysmex XN-Series Automated Hematology Analyzers, training, technical support and services to seven Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers in central Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and northwest Ohio, as well as five hospitals in Southern California and Southern Nevada.  Sysmex America now holds Veterans Administration hematology contracts and standardization agreements with 16 of the 21 VISNs.

Addressing Trends and Challenges

VA health facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical and rehabilitative care.  The VA strives to focus on quality and healthcare needs of veterans and their families, while maximizing efficiency and value.

While the clinical laboratory profession is effected by significant cost and labor pressures, the extent and distribution of workforce shortages in Nevada and California are among the highest in the nation.¹  The benefits of hematology automation with slide making/staining and hemoglobin A1c integrated on the XN hematology automated line helps address these challenges and support overall VA strategies towards improving efficiencies, clinical services and standardization throughout the system. 

Enhancing Diabetic Care

Nearly 25% of veterans in the VA have been diagnosed with diabetes, and the organization is focused on the use of effective care strategies to help veterans with and at risk for diabetes live longer and better lives. The ability to automate hemoglobin A1c testing on the hematology line results in less blood drawn and less tube handling as well as quick, reliable results that align with the VA's practice guideline for the management of diabetes mellitus² to improve treatment and reduce complications of diabetes³.

Trusted Partnership

The XN-Series was put on the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) in January 2013 and placed in the VA System for the first time via a contract with the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23) in July 2013. The VA FSS Service provides federal customers with access to state-of-the-art commercial products and services. The VA Schedules are indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type contracts awarded to pre-approved vendors using full and open competition.

"We are proud of our successful and growing partnership with the Veterans Administration," said John Kershaw, President and CEO, Sysmex America.  "We look forward to helping VISN 11 and 22 build their internal capacity towards their goals of quality, timeliness, and effectiveness."

About the Sysmex XN-Series

The Sysmex XN-Series suite of products includes the Sysmex XN-1000™, the Sysmex XN-2000™, the Sysmex XN-3000™, and the Sysmex XN-9000™ Automated Hematology Analyzers. These configurations are built on the award-winning concept of Silent Design. This design approach provides a simplified system of operation and user interface that enables an expanded parameter menu for a lab's evolving clinical needs; configurable modularity for a lab's workflow needs; and a reagent handling system that saves time and storage space.  Regardless of which configuration a lab chooses, each highly productive system operates identically and efficiently.

About VISN 11

Veterans In Partnership Healthcare Network (VISN 11) is one of 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. VISN 11 is comprised of seven VA Medical Centers and 29 operating Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) which provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health care to veterans in central Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and northwest Ohio. VISN 11 is a large and geographically diverse network and covers 90,100 square miles. The VIP network medical centers operate 1,812 beds including acute medical and surgical, psychiatric, and nursing home beds.

About VISN 22

VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network is one of 21 Healthcare Networks operated nationwide by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The network is comprised of five hospitals (VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, VA San Diego Healthcare System, VA Southern Nevada Health System), and 29 community clinics serving 1.4 million veterans in Southern California and Southern Nevada.

About Sysmex America, Inc.

Sysmex America, Inc., in Lincolnshire, Illinois, the U.S. headquarters of Sysmex Corporation (Kobe, Japan), is a trusted world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions that optimize the clinical utility, operational efficiency and financial performance of the lab. Sysmex America distributes and supports a diversified portfolio of best-in-class automated in vitro diagnostic hematology, coagulation and urinalysis analyzers, reagents and information systems for laboratories and healthcare facilities throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Company's unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and technological innovation is reflected in the Sysmex brand and its distinguished heritage of unsurpassed reliability. Sysmex is reshaping the healthcare of tomorrow at the clinical laboratory level by transcending the boundaries of diagnostic science and serving as the pulse of reliable, accountable care.  For more information about Sysmex, please visit www.sysmex.com/us.

¹ SCP Wage Survey 2012 -  http://www.ascp.org/PDF/Advocacy/2012-Vacancy-Survey.pdf

² http://www.healthquality.va.gov/diabetes/DM2010_FUL-v4e.pdf

³ http://www.queri.research.va.gov/dm/

SOURCE Sysmex America