NEWS RELEASE

Novation Releases Results of 2008 MRSA Survey

Study Highlights Impact of MRSA on Health Care Industry

IRVING, TX; May 6, 2008 — Novation, the leading health care contracting services company of VHA Inc., University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Provista, LLC, today released the results of its 2008 Methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) Survey. According to the survey, both VHA and UHC members report an increase in MRSA cases. UHC reported highest increase in the emergency department and VHA saw greatest increase in patients upon admission. The results of the survey will be used by Novation to support continued efforts to offer the most comprehensive MRSA portfolio in the industry.

“MRSA is an increasingly problematic issue in all areas of the hospital and MRSA-positive infections will be more prevalent and require well-developed screening, prevention, and treatment strategies in the future, said Maryann Restino, vice president, contract and program services at Novation. “This report, and the information we glean from it, is another example of Novation’s commitment to provide alliance members with the information they need to make smart purchasing decisions throughout their organization.”

The survey found that educating health care workers on prevention of MRSA is of paramount importance to VHA and UHC member organizations. Hospitals are focusing on prevention training for employees. Detection training was also mentioned as an important aspect of MRSA infection control. The most often cited training programs offered by member organizations were: hand washing protocols, in-service programs, new hire orientation and contact precautions.

Key Survey Findings:

• Isolating MRSA contaminated patients is the most common method of controlling spread within the hospital.
• UHC (27 percent) and VHA (11 percent) member hospitals have implemented decolonization regimes to help control the infection.
• Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and community-acquired MRSA are other infections of great concern.
• UHC (24 percent) and VHA (19 percent) member hospitals use Rapid PCR technology to detect the infection in their facility.

MRSA is increasingly threatening the health of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more people in the U.S. now die from MRSA than from AIDS. Other infection statistics:

• An estimated 120,000 people develop MRSA bacterial infections in the United States each year. Average treatment costs are estimated at $27,000 to $34,000 per case.
• There is a rise in the number of U.S. children who become infected with both influenza and Staphylococcus aureus – the CDC suggests a potential link between the two conditions.
• For the 2008/2009 flu season, the CDC will activate a monitoring network to hunt for patients co-infected with flu and MRSA. Data and other findings could guide doctors in preventing flu-MRSA cases from turning fatal.
• The CDC strongly recommends 500 measures to help prevent and control MRSA, including frequent hand washing, increasing the use of medical devices coated with antibacterial agents and properly ventilating operating rooms.

“Recognizing the growing concern for MRSA and the need for immediate action, Novation’s newly created MRSA Solutions Set online resource program provides health care workers with solutions available through our extensive portfolio to prevent, detect and treat the infection,” said Restino. “Compiling available solutions into one central area allows health care workers to more rapidly analyze, address and, hopefully, control the infection.”

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About Novation
Founded in 1998, Irving, Texas-based, Novation is the leading health care contracting services company, delivering unmatched savings and value to nearly 2,500 members of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), two national health care alliances and nearly 12,000 members of Provista, LLC. Through its competitive contracting process, Novation develops and manages contracts with more than 500 suppliers. Novation offers the most extensive range of advanced contracting services, including: contract development, contract and supplier management, custom contracting, enhanced savings programs, online contract management and analytical tools, order management and online supplier connectivity. VHA, UHC and Provista members used Novation contracts to purchase more than $33.1 billion in 2007.

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