Novation Teams With Accenture to Offer Supply Chain Training to Hospital Materials Management Executives

Web-based Educational Courses Will Enable Materials Management Executives to Enhance and Share Knowledge, Earn Certification

IRVING, Texas and NEW YORK; Nov. 10, 2003 – Novation, the supply company of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), has signed a multi-year agreement with Accenture to offer Web-based supply chain management education to materials management executives. Novation will offer the training through Accenture’s Supply Chain Academy, a learning solution developed to integrate supply chain expertise and electronic learning techniques.

"The Supply Chain Academy is a wonderful resource for materials management professionals," said Joan Martin, associate administrator, materials management for Memorial Hospital of Colorado Springs, who helped pilot the Academy for Accenture and Novation. "The courses employ a variety of teaching methods, and will be particularly helpful for staff development and career planning."

VHA and UHC member hospitals will access the Internet-based programs hosted by Accenture through Marketplace@Novation®, the industry-leading online health care information and e-commerce exchange. Novation, through the Academy, will offer:

For an annual subscription fee, participants will be able to select from among a variety of packages -- ranging from unlimited access to individual program participation for each facility or system.

"Because supplies account for nearly one-third of all hospital purchases, it’s vital that the individuals responsible have the necessary education and training to enable them to be as effective as possible," said Jody Hatcher, senior vice president, Novation. "Accordingly, we’re responding to the members’ needs for training in this area."

"Leading hospitals are using today’s unprecedented portfolio of tools, capabilities and technologies to revolutionize the conventional approach to materials management," said Michael Gallagher, a partner in Accenture’s Health & Life Sciences practice. "The Academy can be a source of competitive differentiation, providing training and linking supply chain practitioners with a network of specialists and resources to provide a comprehensive learning experience and community."

Created by Accenture, the Supply Chain Academy raises the formal understanding, knowledge and capabilities required to drive process improvement across all functions of the supply chain by employing multiple electronic learning formats. The electronic learning format is a more cost effective method over traditional classrooms through lower per student costs and reduced travel expenditures.

About Novation
Irving, Texas- based Novation offers supply chain services to the members, associate members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium. These organizations purchased nearly $20 billion worth of medical products and supplies using Novation contracts in 2002. The contracts are created based on an open competitive bidding process that incorporates input from purchasing and clinical experts from member health care organizations. For more information on Novation, go to www.novationco.com.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 83,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.8 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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