PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA - ECRI Institute®, www.ecri.org, an independent nonprofit organization that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, has announced a multiyear agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems® to offer unbiased decision support services regarding health technology purchasing to its healthcare customers.

Through the new agreement, MedAssets' customers, including hospitals, health systems, and nonacute care providers, will have access to ECRI Institute's technical judgment and recommendations to help them validate capital and supply chain equipment decisions. Included in the cost-saving resources are custom technology analyses, evidence-based reports, health technology forecasts and trends, supply chain benchmarking databases, and real-time price paid databases for capital expenditures.

"We are delighted our customers will have access to objective, unbiased guidance to help them select the safest, most effective medical technology in the most cost-effective manner," says Mark Miriani, president, MedAssets Supply Chain Systems. "ECRI Institute's ongoing technology expertise, based on 40 years of experience, will help our customers make informed, cost-saving technology decisions without compromising patient care."
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together with such a high-quality organization as MedAssets and its customers as we all strive to improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs in healthcare," says Anthony Montagnolo, chief operating officer, ECRI Institute. "We are confident this new agreement will become an important step forward in accomplishing that goal."

The agreement extends to three of ECRI Institute's premium membership programs:

* SELECTplus™, a comprehensive medical equipment advisory service
* PriceGuide™, an advisory service for the procurement of medical-surgical supplies and implants
* Health Technology Assessment Information Service™, a comparative effectiveness assessment service with evidence-based information on new and emerging drugs, devices, procedures, and services

For more information about ECRI Institute's premier membership programs, please visit www.ecri.org.

About ECRI Institute
ECRI Institute, a nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to bringing the discipline of applied scientific research to healthcare to uncover the best approaches to improving patient care. As pioneers in this science for 40 years, ECRI Institute marries experience and independence with the objectivity of evidence-based research. ECRI Institute is designated a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization and an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. ECRI Institute PSO is a federally certified Patient Safety Organization by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, visit www.ecri.org.

About MedAssets
MedAssets partners with healthcare providers to improve their financial strength by implementing integrated spend management and revenue cycle solutions that help control cost, improve margins and cash flow, increase regulatory compliance, and optimize operational efficiency. MedAssets serves more than 125 health systems, 3,300 hospitals, and 30,000 nonacute care healthcare providers. For more information, go to www.medassets.com.

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