NEWS RELEASE
Novation Activates CMS Readiness Online Resource Page
Page Highlights Products Relevant to Hospital Efforts to Address “Never Events”
IRVING, TX; July 17, 2008 — Novation, the leading health care contracting services company of VHA Inc., University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Provista, LLC, has created a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Readiness Online Resource Page. Developed to serve healthcare workers as they prepare for the CMS reimbursement changes that go into effect on October 1, the page will highlight products that Novation experts have identified as relevant to hospital efforts to address “never events.”
“Our aim is to connect members with diverse products and relevant information to help them address the new CMS rule,” said Maryann Restino, Novation, vice president, contract and program services. “This new online resource provides a platform to support members with products that answer their CMS questions.”
Connecting
The resource page features a question and answer area that will allow health care workers to submit questions about products that can help address the CMS rules. The feature will ensure that Novation offers the types of products health care workers need to comply with the CMS rules.
Knowledge
The resource page will also provide relevant CMS and industry links that members can use and share at their facilities. Novation will continuously update the site with information on available products related to each of the eight conditions.
On October 1, 2008, CMS will cease paying hospitals for eight medical conditions: objects inadvertently left in patient after surgery, air embolism, blood incompatibility, catheter associated urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, vascular catheter associated infections, surgical site-Mediastinitis and certain types of falls and trauma.
The exact number of “never events” is unknown, however, they result in many deaths and additional health care costs. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that as many as 98,000 deaths a year were attributable to medical errors. Another study, reviewing 18 types of medical events, concluded that medical errors may account for 2.4 million extra hospital days, $9.3 billion in excess charges (for all payers), and 32,600 deaths.
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About Novation
Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply contracting company for more than 25,000 members of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), two national health care alliances, and 5,500 members of Provista, LLC, representing 28,000 sites. Novation provides alliance members contract and price management and spend management 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 purchased nearly $37.8 billion in 2009.
Media Contact
Kathryn Goldstein
Director, Public Relations
Novation
(972) 581-5529
kgoldste@novationco.com
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