Sysmex announces 3-year sole source microscopic urinalysis contract agreement with Novation

Sysmex, a global leader in medical diagnostic testing equipment and information systems technology, today announced a three-year sole source microscopic urinalysis contract agreement with group purchasing organization Novation.  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.  Members have immediate purchasing/leasing access to Sysmex UF-Series automated urine particle analyzers, reagents, controls, and service.  Training and technical support for members will be provided through Sysmex America's U.S. headquarters in Mundelein, Illinois.  The contract was awarded on technical merit and pricing.  In addition to its sole source contract, Novation awarded Sysmex America a related dual source contract with Siemens' ADVIA® Urinalysis WorkCell.

"Sysmex America is pleased to partner with Novation in its efforts to offer member-laboratories an automated urinalysis solution that enhances present on admission UTI screening capability.  This solution enhancement, coupled with the reliability and uptime of Sysmex instruments, will serve member-laboratories well as they navigate through a challenging and cost-restrictive healthcare environment," said John Kershaw, President & CEO, Sysmex America, Inc.  

In October 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, established new POA (Present on Admission) cost saving initiatives which targeted urinary tract infections (UTI) and hospital-acquired infections (HAI).   Automated urine microscopy enables laboratories to perform labor-saving, cost-effective microscopic evaluation of urine.  This evaluation allows for the identification of patients with presence of pre-existing bacteria in their urine to be flagged upon admission.  This, in turn, enables hospitals to potentially submit a separate diagnosis related group (DRG) enabling reimbursement as the hospital isn't inaccurately assumed to have caused a nosocomial infection.

As proven with other laboratory disciplines, automation provides for standardized, high-quality results that can be reported in a timely fashion for urine samples as well.  Sysmex developed the first fully automated urine cell analyzer in the world – the Sysmex UF-100™, making its debut in Japan in 1995 and in the United States in 1996.  Since that time, Sysmex introduced its UF-1000i™ automated urine particle analyzer.  The Sysmex UF-1000i combines the advanced technology of fluorescent flow cytometry with fully automated urine formed-element sample analysis, providing walk away capability and standardization.  

Novation's contract offering also includes Sysmex Peak Performance Program, a comprehensive set of systems and resources that support a clinical laboratory's long-term success before, during and after instrument or system implementation.