FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blood Systems and Strategic Healthcare Group form strategic agreement

Agreement designed to help hospitals cut transfusion costs, meet quality measures, improve outcomes

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, September 26, 2011  -- Healthcare reform legislation, declining reimbursement and continued economic uncertainty are prompting hospitals to find more efficient ways to manage the value chain for blood products. Blood Systems, one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service providers, and Strategic Healthcare Group LLC, the leading provider of blood management products and solutions, announced today a strategic agreement to offer proven, comprehensive tools that help hospitals reduce transfusion costs, demonstrate quality conformance and improve patient outcomes.

“We’ve paired Blood Systems’ medical expertise and our reputation for quality with Strategic Healthcare Group’s transfusion safety and blood management experience to bring hospitals the complete package,” said Patrick McEvoy, President of the Blood Centers Division of Blood Systems. “We can tailor effective solutions for hospitals of every size and complexity using sophisticated tools, including a blood management informatics portal. If needed, we will even bring in customized consultative services.”

McEvoy said Blood Systems chose Strategic Healthcare Group, in part, because it has the most robust database of hospital transfusion practices by procedure to help hospitals make fact-based determinations of optimal use of blood components within their facilities. It also has the tools to help hospitals successfully implement recommendations and decisions based on those determinations.

The Strategic Blood Management™ informatics portal helps hospitals improve blood utilization and reduce costs through three core products:  BloodStat^® Multidimensional Analytics (BMA); Blood Management Exchange^® (BMX); and the Blood Management University^® (BMU) learning management system.

“We are honored to partner with Blood Systems to provide this comprehensive solution to promote optimal blood utilization,” said Tim Hannon, MD, MBA, CEO of Strategic Healthcare Group. “Blood Systems has already moved beyond basic blood service with its transfusion hotline, online accredited education programs and quality consulting services. Adding the Strategic Blood Management™ informatics portal as well as our proven experience to the portfolio strengthens this exciting new approach to blood service.”

The two organizations expect to launch the services later this fall.

About Strategic Healthcare Group LLC: Strategic Healthcare Group is the leading provider of blood management products and solutions, partnering with leading healthcare systems to improve transfusion safety and blood utilization. Hospitals using the Strategic Blood Management™ system have achieved reductions in blood utilization from 13% to 37% through the reduction in unnecessary transfusions, substantially reducing costs while improving the quality of care.


About Blood Systems: Blood Systems is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service providers. Its Blood Centers Division (United Blood Services, Blood Centers of the Pacific and Inland Northwest Blood Center) provides blood, blood components and special services to patients in nearly 600 hospitals in 18 states, primarily in the South, the Northern Plains and the West.

Blood Systems Research Institute generates and analyzes data to aid the US and worldwide transfusion community by recommending testing strategies and technology. Creative Testing Solutions specializes in high-volume blood donor testing and infectious disease reference work in three national laboratories in Phoenix, Dallas and Tampa that test approximately 25 percent of the US blood supply. The BioCARE division distributes therapeutic biologicals and recombinant coagulation factors, including such products as albumin, coagulation factors, fibrin sealants, IVIG, and Rh immune globulin.

Media Contact: Barbara Kain, 480-675-5664