IRVING, TX, May 17, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
For today’s health care organizations, analyzing and leveraging
vast amounts of spend data presents a formidable challenge. Many
health care leaders are employing business intelligence tools to help
interpret the numbers so they can improve their supply chain
processes and reduce costs. To assist in this process, VHA Inc., the
national health care network, has introduced Spend Essentials, a new
component to its comprehensive VHA LYNX(TM) suite of business
intelligence resources. VHA LYNX provides a powerful business
solution to support spend decisions and promote system-wide
transparency; Spend Essentials combines member spend history with
industry-leading contracts offered through Novation, VHA’s supply
contracting company.

Spend Essentials’ users can pinpoint cost reduction and
standardization opportunities. Results are delivered in 15 detailed,
easy-to-understand and user-friendly dashboards available on any
computer through proprietary web-based software. Views by individual
facility, system and buyer facilitate transparency and efficiency
across the organization. Spend Essentials integrates seamlessly into
existing supply chain processes, aligning directly with health care
systems’ specific needs.

“Spend Essentials’ capabilities reflect what our members have told us
they want and need to improve their performance and succeed in the
current health care environment,” said Scott Downing, VHA executive
vice president and chief sales and marketing officer. “With this new
VHA LYNX solution, members can truly maximize their contract
portfolios, sorting and drilling down to see specific spend while
improving efficiency throughout all of their purchasing activities.
This transcends anything that currently exists in the market and will
help make supply chain performance improvement easier to achieve at a
time when hospitals are under intense pressure to manage costs.”

With the ability to dissect and analyze supply chain spend
information alongside Novation’s industry-leading pricing, purchasing
departments can easily identify and prioritize the largest cost
reduction opportunities, Downing adds.

“The day after I attended training on Spend Essentials, I peeked into
the system and found some immediate savings,” explained Steve Dana,
senior purchasing agent for Watertown Regional Medical Center,
Watertown, Wisc. “It showed there were two contracts where our volume
had increased to the point that we qualified for the next tier. I
requested the tier move on-line, which was instantly accepted. That
click of a mouse will save us $5,000 a year. It was quick and easy. I
am continuing to look into other contracts and individual items
through this new solution.”

For more information on VHA LYNX and Spend Essentials call
800.842.5146 or email vhacustomerservice@vha.com.

About VHA Inc.
Based in Irving, TX, VHA Inc. is a national network
of not-for-profit health care organizations that work together to
drive maximum savings in the supply chain arena, set new levels of
clinical performance, and identify and implement best practices to
improve operational efficiency and clinical outcomes. Since 1977, VHA
has leveraged its expertise in analytics, contracting, consulting and
networks to help members achieve their operational, clinical and
financial objectives. In 2011, VHA delivered record savings and value
of $1.8 billion to members. VHA serves more than 1,350 hospitals and
more than 30,000 non-acute care providers nationwide, coordinating
delivery of its programs and services through its 15 regional
offices. VHA has been ranked as one of the best places to work in
healthcare by Modern Healthcare since the publication introduced this
list in 2008.

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SOURCE: VHA Inc.

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