“GHX supply chain services will enable us to expand our system’s ability to transact business electronically with our trading partners. As a result, our organization will be able to lower costs and reduce errors by better managing our ordering process,” says Don Cummer, SHSS Director of Purchasing.

A 2004 study, authored by Deloitte and sponsored by HSCN, on the status of e-commerce in Canadian hospitals found that hospitals can expect between two and three percent savings on their overall supply chain budget as a result of integrated solutions. Respondents were also confident that an additional four to six percent savings are possible in the future.

GHX will provide SHSS with various supply chain products and services to help automate the purchasing process. These services include synchronizing SHSS’s product data with supplier-verified information in the GHX AllSourceÒ electronic product content repository and providing a fully integrated e-Commerce platform that will enable SHSS to seamlessly send and receive a variety of business transaction documents. By the end of April, 2006, SHSS will be able to send and receive purchase orders and purchase order acknowledgements, with additional transaction sets, including advance ship notices, electronic invoices, payment remittances and catalogue/contract price updates to be added through the remainder of the year.

A number of other hospitals participating in the e-Supply Chain Project are expected to implement similar solutions from GHX this year as well. ”We are proud that, after considering all the options, Shared Healthcare Supply Services has chosen GHX to assist with its e-Supply Chain initiative,” says GHX Canada General Manager Nils Clausen “Because GHX technology fully integrates with hospital materials systems, we are confident that we can be a key contributor to the success of the e-Supply Chain Project and its ability to improve efficiencies in the healthcare supply chain."

More than 260 hospitals and 40 suppliers are currently participating in GHX in Canada. “By involving both providers and suppliers, GHX and the e-Supply Chain Project can deliver benefits across the entire supply chain. As more organizations become involved and increase their technological capabilities, trading partners will be able to improve how they conduct business with one another and drive even greater efficiencies,” says Rob Bell, e-Supply Chain Project Manager.

About Global Healthcare Exchange
Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) provides an open and neutral electronic trading exchange, as well as complementary products and services, designed to improve the procurement-to-payment process in the healthcare supply chain. Service offerings include:

• Exchange services that support trading partner connectivity and provide electronic transaction sets, order validation and reporting tools
• Content services utilizing the GHX AllSource® product content repository as the foundation for data synchronization and advanced content services
• Contract services that allow users to maximize contract utilization
• Procurement services that enable automation of the requisitioning process
• Business Intelligence reports designed to provide strategic decision-making data

Through these services, healthcare providers and suppliers can improve efficiencies, automate processes and reduce operating expenses. 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.; C.R. Bard, Inc.; Fisher Scientific International, Inc.; GE Healthcare; Guidant Corp.; HCA; Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.; McKesson Corp.; Medtronic USA, Inc.; Premier, Inc.; Siemens; Tyco Healthcare Group, LP; University HealthSystem Consortium.; and VHA Inc. For more information, visit www.ghx.com.

About Shared Healthcare Supply Services
Shared Healthcare Supply Services (SHSS) provides purchasing and supply chain services to four major Toronto hospital organizations: the University Health Network (consisting or Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital and the New Womens College Hospital. SHSS is responsible for procurement functions including Sourcing, Purchase Order Management & Strategic Contract Management. For more information visit www.shss.ca. SHSS is owned by Hospital Business Services (HBS), an organization providing services to various Greater Toronto Area hospitals aimed at integrating non-clinical, back office administrative functions at member hospitals, allowing them to focus on their primary goal – delivering quality care to patients.

About Healthcare Supply Chain Network
The Healthcare Supply Chain Network (HSCN) is a Canadian network of healthcare supply chain provider and supplier professionals. HSCN was established to promote the implementation of supply chain management leading practices in healthcare that result in greater effectiveness and efficiency, improved patient outcomes and greater alignment between supply chain partners.

About e-Supply Chain Project
The e-Supply Chain Project is managed through the Healthcare Supply Chain Network (HSCN) and supported by OntarioBuys. Six project sites form the e-Supply Chain project and collectively represent more than 46 hospital facilities in Ontario. The e-Supply Chain Project will reduce hospital operating costs, improve service levels, and support the delivery of better patient care through the development and implementation of leading supply chain practices. For more information, visit www.hscn.org/escproject.

About OntarioBuys
Announced by the Ontario Government in May 2004, OntarioBuys’ mandate is to facilitate and accelerate the implementation of integrated Supply Chain Management leading practices in Ontario’s broader public sector, hospitals, universities, colleges and school boards. OntarioBuys is supporting Ontario hospitals to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of their supply chains, for the benefit of patients, health care workers and the public generally.