MUNDELEIN, IL--(Marketwire - July 22, 2009) -
Medline
Industries, Inc., the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and
distributor of healthcare supplies, announced today the signing of a
five-year national agreement with Premier Purchasing Partners, the group
purchasing unit of Premier, Inc., to provide soaps, lotions and waterless
hand rinse products to the more than 2,200 U.S. hospitals and 58,000
healthcare sites that are members of the
Premier healthcare alliance. The
agreement, which takes effect October 1, 2009, includes key hand hygiene
products such as Medline's Protection Plus antibacterial soaps, foams and
lotions as well as the
Sterillium® brand of
hand antisepsis products.
"In health care today, every dollar counts. That is why we're proud to be
able to offer high-quality products at critical savings to Premier
members," said Kurt Krieghbaum, senior vice president, National Accounts
for Medline. "Our relationship also allows us to provide hand hygiene
products that are recommended by national patient safety groups as an
important way to reduce the risks of
hospital-acquired infection."
Recent news stories on global health issues such as H1N1 Influenza (swine
flu) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as the
cost of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), have brought infection control
into a leading role in health care. HAIs affect at least 2 million
patients, are estimated to contribute to 88,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
and account for nearly $5 billion in treatment costs. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) states that one-third of these infections can be
prevented by implementing better infection control programs and that hand
hygiene is the most important measure preventing the spread of infection.
Faced with such numbers, hospitals and healthcare facilities are adopting
new tools, products and techniques that enhance infection-control efforts,
such as waterless hand sanitizers that make it easier for physicians and
nurses to practice optimum hand hygiene. Alcohols have been used for skin
antisepsis in healthcare for more than a century. But while most hand
sanitizers contain isopropanol, ethanol, n-propanol or a combination of
these ingredients, not all alcohol hand sanitizer formulas are the same.
For example, it has been shown that the higher the concentration of alcohol
in surgical hand antiseptics, the higher their effectiveness against
resident hand flora. Sterillium Rub and Comfort Gel™ are the only
products formulated with 80 percent or more alcohol to ensure a rapid, but
also extensive and thorough, effect.
The CDC estimates that adherence to handwashing procedures alone could
prevent the deaths of 20,000 patients each year. The World Health
Organization, however, reports an average hand hygiene compliance rate
among healthcare workers of only 40 percent. Skin irritation and dryness
caused by frequent handwashing with soap and water, as well as inadequate
understanding of hand hygiene guidelines or protocols, are the most often
cited reasons for noncompliance. Sterillium Comfort Gel has been shown to
increase skin hydration up to 14 percent, which may lead to greater staff
compliance and better infection prevention.
"Performing conscientious hand cleansing, teaching good washing techniques
and implementing comprehensive hand hygiene programs are strong steps that
can help control the spread of organisms in the hospital environment," said
Alecia Cooper, M.B.A., R.N., C.N.O.R., senior vice president of clinical
services for Medline. "The use of waterless alcohol hand sanitizers will
enhance hand hygiene programs, and Sterillium, with its high alcohol
content, is an effective agent for reducing the number of viable pathogens
on the hands."
About Premier, Inc.
The Premier healthcare alliance
includes more than 2,200 U.S. hospitals and 58,000-plus other healthcare
sites working together to improve healthcare quality and affordability.
Premier maintains the nation's most comprehensive repository of clinical,
financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare
purchasing network. A world leader in helping deliver measurable
improvements in care, Premier works with the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) and the United Kingdom's National Health Service
Northwest to improve hospital performance.
About Medline Industries, Inc.
Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor
of healthcare products,
manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals,
extended-care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies
and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., Medline has more than
800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product
line and cost management services.
Meeting the highest level of national and international quality standards,
Medline is FDA QSR compliant and ISO 13485 registered. Medline serves on
major industry quality committees to develop guidelines and standards for
medical product use, including the FDA Midwest Steering Committee, AAMI
Sterilization and Packaging Committee and various ASTM committees. For
more information on Medline, visit our Web site, www.medline.com.
