Novation Helps Hospitals Prepare for Seasonal Influenza

IRVING, Texas, Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest statistics from the CDC, influenza activity is currently on the rise in the United States. In anticipation of the trend, Novation, the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company, announced that it has aligned resources through its supplier agreements to support the hospital members it serves through the influenza season.

Working in advance with a broad range of suppliers, the company is assisting supply chain professionals with planning for purchases of adequate supplies needed to protect patients and staff from the spread of influenza, especially in the event of a major outbreak.

"Novation is committed to providing hospital organizations with the supply chain resources they need to prepare for the impact of seasonal influenza," said John Thompson, VP, Medical, Surgical and Distribution, Novation. "We continuously collaborate with our suppliers to provide education and resources for health care providers to help plan and implement best practices, especially in the event of a major flu outbreak.  Influenza preparation and prevention is a component of our broader efforts regarding infection prevention."

The impact of flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. According to the CDC, over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

In the event of a major breakout, Novation offers a broad national contract portfolio that includes all the necessary products that hospital members need including high volume use supplies:  facial protection, personal protective apparel, exam gloves, surface disinfection and hand hygiene.  Novation's supply distribution partners have extensive Pandemic Influenza response programs to ensure a constant flow of products through the health care supply chain.

In addition, Novation also has contract coverage for all brands and presentations of this year's flu vaccine, including the pediatric and inhaled forms.  The CDC is estimating that there will be 138-145 million doses of this season's influenza vaccine produced this year.  

Novation-served members can access more information about the resources available for seasonal influenza and pandemic preparedness through the Marketplace|Procure site via www.novationco.com. More information about the 2013-14 influenza season can be found via the CDC's website at http://cdc.gov/flu/about/season.

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 100,000 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 has 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 also was named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list, and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions for two consecutive years. To learn more about Novation, please visit www.novationco.com and follow @NovationNews.

SOURCE Novation