For Immediate Release
Medline Joins Healthcare Supply Chain Standards Coalition to Deliver Quality Patient Care in a Cost Effective Manner
Industry Leader Group Dedicated to Developing Uniform Standards
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 —
In a major step toward making the healthcare supply chain more responsive to patient needs, Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, is joining others in the healthcare industry who are working to enable the delivery of quality patient care in a cost effective and efficient manner through the adoption of industry standards. As a member, Medline is providing expertise to move the industry to adopt supply chain standards that meet industry's needs.
"Joining the Healthcare Supply Chain Standards Coalition reinforces one of our principal goals to help customers control healthcare costs and improve inventory management," said Tim Jacobson, senior vice president, Corporate Sales, Medline Industries, Inc.
"Partnering with other senior industry leaders we hope to make a difference in moving toward the use of uniform standards for the industry. Implementation of these standards will streamline business processes, enhance efficiency at many levels, reduce costs for all healthcare supply chain participants, and improve patient safety," said David Rolston, vice president, e-Commerce Marketing, Medline.
About Healthcare Supply Chain Standards Coalition
The Healthcare Supply Chain Standards Coalition is a collaborative of organizations representing the entire healthcare supply chain working to enable the delivery of quality patient care in a cost-effective and efficient manner through the adoption of industry standards. The Standards Coalition utilizes a rigorous and transparent process, facilitated by The National Alliance for Health Information Technology, to make recommendations on specific standards and plans for enabling their use. The Standards Coalition is comprised of healthcare providers, suppliers, group purchasing organizations, technology companies, industry associations, and governmental entities.
About Medline
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, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.
Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.