Healthcare Industry News:  endoscopic surgery 

Devices Surgery Group Purchasing

 News Release - July 8, 2009

Covidien Selected by the Premier Healthcare Alliance to Highlight Commitment to Healthcare Quality Improvement and Innovation

NORTH HAVEN, CT, July 8, 2009 - (HSMN NewsFeed) - Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, was recently selected to participate in the Premier Healthcare Alliance’s first Innovation Celebration, an annual event to celebrate advances in healthcare while highlighting healthcare industry suppliers committed to innovation and improving patient outcomes.

Premier’s Innovation Celebration highlights innovative solutions that bring a positive impact to healthcare delivery. The 26 products showcased were selected by a cross-functional team of Premier alliance members and staff, including clinical product planners, clinical field specialists, pharmacists, supply chain professionals, materials management and nurses.

Premier contracts with more than 800 suppliers, and Covidien was one of 24 Premier contracted suppliers selected to participate in the Innovation Celebration.

“We applaud the Premier Healthcare Alliance’s unwavering commitment to improving patient care and are honored to be part of their inaugural event,” said Armin Cline, President, Health Systems, Covidien. “This industry recognition is particularly gratifying as we have been working hard, in collaboration with the medical profession, to put innovative healthcare solutions in the hands of surgeons to help them achieve optimal patient outcomes.”

“Working side by side with the healthcare community, continually investing in world class R&D and staying focused on clinical leadership help drive our ability to deliver medical solutions that make a difference in patient care,” Jerry Liebrand, President, Surgical Devices, USA, Covidien, said. “We are very excited about being recognized by Premier for our commitment to innovation and the pace of our efforts to bring new products to market.”

Two new surgical devices, recently launched by Covidien, were showcased at the Premier event:

  • Duet TRS(TM) Reload – an endoscopic stapler preloaded with tissue reinforcement material, which is a synthetic absorbable polymer that remains flat and secure during placement and manipulation on tissue. This integrated device provides surgeons with the option of using tissue reinforcement without any additional steps. More information on Duet TRS(TM) Reload can be found by visiting www.duettrs.com.

  • SILS(TM) PORT – a single, flexible port that can be fitted through a small incision (particularly in the umbilicus) and can accommodate up to three laparoscopic instruments. This progressive approach allows for easy specimen removal, while providing greater stability, support and maneuverability for hand instruments. Additional information on SILS(TM) PORT is available at www.sils.com.

“The Innovation Celebration is a unique opportunity to unveil revolutionary concepts and developments in the healthcare industry,” said Premier Purchasing Partners President Mike Alkire. “Similar to the Premier alliance, these suppliers are committed to innovation that leads to improved quality and reduced costs, and we’re happy to showcase their efforts to our alliance members.”

Innovation Celebration participants were featured on June 16 at the 2009 Premier Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in Anaheim, Calif. Basic criteria for selection included solutions that displayed uniqueness, as well as solutions that have an impact on an unmet medical need.

For more information, please visit: http://www.premierinc.com/about/events-educa

About Premier

The Premier Healthcare Alliance is more than 2,100 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 and the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West to improve hospital performance. Premier has offices in San Diego, Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Washington.

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in four segments: Medical Devices, Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies. With 2008 revenue of nearly $10 billion, Covidien has more than 41,000 employees worldwide in 59 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.


Source: Covidien

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