2001 GHX Press Releases

WESTMINSTER, Colo., February 22, 2001 - Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC (GHX) has added five new manufacturers and distributors of hospital products to its growing list of supplier members, and its hospital membership now tops 200. The newly announced members are: E-Z-EM, a manufacturer; Delaware Valley Surgical Supply, Inc., Merry X-Ray Corporation, and Suture Express, all distributors; and AFFLINK, an affiliation of independent distributors. GHX currently has 75 supplier members and 26 Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) representing 207 hospitals. "The addition of both new suppliers and distributors is key to GHX's mission to reduce procurement costs across the entire healthcare supply chain, from manufacturer to distributor to hospital," says GHX President Mike Mahoney. Created exclusively for the healthcare industry, GHX's Web-based technology is designed to connect hospitals to the normalized, verified industry-standard catalog from which they can purchase both medical and non-medical products. Key to GHX's solution is its flexibility in connectivity options for all its members and the creation and on-going maintenance of an online catalog based on industry standards that assures hospitals access to the most reliable pricing, availability, and order tracking information. GHX's catalog will be accessible to hospital members through their choice of front-end systems, including existing or new MMIS or a browser interface. Suppliers and distributors will also have a choice of connectivity options and tools to efficiently review and update their catalog information instantaneously, further meeting their customers' requirements for accurate information and reduced order reconciliations. "Those involved with healthcare purchasing should spend their time researching the best products for their needs at the best price, not trying to order products with incomplete or out-of-date information and then trying to correct errors after the fact," says Freddie Sanchez, vice president of Materials Management for East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, one of GHX's provider members. "We need solutions that improve, in both cost and time, how we work with those who manufacture the products, those who keep our inventories whole, and those who develop our purchasing contracts. They are all key to the success of the exchange." Membership in GHX is open to all healthcare manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, providers, group purchasing organizations, and other trading and technology partners who play a role in the healthcare procurement process. About AFFLINK AFFLINK (formerly Affiliated Paper Companies, Inc.) is a national affiliation of 330 independent sanitation, packaging, food service and paper distributors representing $3.5 billion in annual sales. Originally founded as a regional buying group of paper houses, AFFLINK has developed into a leading provider of sales, marketing and business development resources to its affiliate members, suppliers and customers. AFFLINK is an independent subsidiary of Performance Food Group (PFG), located in Richmond, Va., which markets and distributes more than 25,000 food and food-related products to over 20,000 customers, including hotels, cafeterias, schools, healthcare facilities and other institutions. About Delaware Valley Surgical Supply Delaware Valley Surgical Supply (DVSS) is the largest independent distributor of medical and surgical equipment and supplies in the Mid-Atlantic region. DVSS's Boothwyn, Penn., warehouse stocks over 10,000 items including everyday disposables, capital medical equipment and medical and waiting room furniture. DVSS's customer service department staff average more than 10 years of medical experience, and its sales team staff each have an average 15 years experience. For more information, visit www.dvssonline.com About E-Z-EM E-Z-EM, Inc. (AMEX: EZM.A and EZM.B) is the world's largest manufacturer of diagnostic contrast agents and related imaging accessories for gastrointestinal radiology. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, AngioDynamics, Inc., manufactures a wide range of products, including angiographic, thrombolytic, vascular access, and drainage products, as well as stents and medical devices for angioplasty. Another subsidiary, Enteric Products, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets tests for detection of the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori. For additional information, visit www.ezem.com About Merry X-Ray Corporation Merry X-Ray Corporation is a leading distributor and service provider of Radiology Equipment, Imaging Products, Diagnostic Agents, and Electronic Imaging Solutions to the Medical Imaging Market. Merry X-Ray (MXR) has been serving the hospital, clinic and private practice community for more than 42 years. MXR currently employs over 300 sales, service, delivery and support personnel and conducts business through 32 owned branches. The service and distribution branches are run by local Branch Managers who make business decisions to best serve their customers' needs. Today its motto, "SERVICE IS OUR ONLY PRODUCT," applies to both analog and digital systems. MXR has annual sales revenues exceeding $160 million. MXR's Cost Management Programs enable customers to standardize the material management process and effectively remove measurable bottom line cost from the supply chain. For additional information, visit www.merryxray.com About Suture Express Suture Express is the sole distributor specializing in the overnight delivery of Ethicon wound closure products. The firm customizes its on-hand inventory mix according to the specific needs of each customer, then responds to incoming Internet/EDI orders using overnight freight services to deliver complete, next-day shipments. The firm's innovations in reconstructing the suture supply chain enable it to offer clients lower costs, improved service levels, and access to extensive data analysis. For more information about the Kansas City-based company, visit www.sutureexpress.com About Global Healthcare Exchange Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC (GHX), provides business-to-business procurement solutions for the healthcare industry. Utilizing Internet-based technology, the company seamlessly integrates hospitals and suppliers, thereby improving efficiencies and adding value throughout the supply chain. GHX provides single-source ordering and tracking for both medical and non-medical products. The privately held company was founded in March 2000 and now comprises more than 75 supplier members. Equity members of GHX include Johnson & Johnson, GE Medical Systems, Baxter International Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Co., Boston Scientific Corporation, C.R. Bard Inc., Guidant Corporation and Tyco International, Ltd. For more information visit www.ghx.com. Contacts Cheryl Flury Director of Marketing Global Healthcare Exchange 720.887.7000 Terry Boevers, Public Relations Manager, Lawson Software (651) 767-4709, terry.boevers@lawson.com Diane Mitnick, Media Relations (215) 830-9958, mitnickpr@aol.com Lisa Miller or Jason Rodman BRW LeGrand (for GHX) 1860 Blake St., Suite 640 Denver, CO 80202 303.298.8470 lmiller@brwlegrand.com
Posted on Thursday, February 22, 2001 Posted by host
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