System wins award

Charlotte, NC-The Premier Healthcare Alliance, which includes more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals and more than 75,000 other health-care sites, has recognized an electronic documentation system (Connex, Welch Allyn) as one of 18 top medical device innovations introduced in 2010.

A committee of clinicians and other Premier members selected winners based on their uniqueness as well their ability to have an effect on an unmet medical need.

“These new devices and products have the potential to substantially impact the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of care,” Mike Alkire, Premier Purchasing Partners president, said of the winners.

The electronic documentation system is designed to give health-care professionals immediate access to accurate patient data to help enhance clinical decision-making, minimize risks, and ultimately improve patient safety. The system includes a vital signs monitor, management software, an accessory management stand, and a service that includes a product warranty and also provides technical, educational, and professional support.

Welch Allyn also was one of 38 of the more than 800 suppliers with whom Premier has contracts to receive a Performance Award, which recognizes the efforts of contracted suppliers to meet and exceed operational expectations. In selecting recipients, Premier collected and scored performance data for four successive calendar quarters.

For a list of other innovations recognized by Premier, see http://premierinc.com/about/news/11-jun/innovation061311.jsp. For a list of other Performance Award winners, see http://www.premierinc.com/about/news/11-jun/supplierawards062711.jsp.