IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- Masimo®, the inventor and leader of Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM) and read-through motion and low perfusion pulse oximetry, has announced an important new contract with Consorta, one of the nation's largest GPOs (group purchasing organizations). The new dual-source agreement represents a dramatic expansion in the reach of Masimo technology to new health care facilities that previously had only one choice for pulse oximetry, representing a significant opportunity for Masimo as well as Consorta's member hospitals.
Consorta's Shareholders are among the leading integrators of non-profit health care in America, sponsoring significant care providers nationwide. Consorta's 13 Shareholder health care systems represent 60% of all Catholic hospitals in the United States. The Consorta membership encompasses more than 2400 care sites with over 78,000 patient care beds. Member facilities are expected to purchase over $4 billion in medical supplies and equipment this year, placing Consorta solidly among the top group purchasing organizations in the country.
"Consorta continues to seek out the latest and most effective technologies for our members and their patients, and we are excited about this new arrangement with Masimo," says Mike Murphy, contract manager for medical/surgical at Consorta. "Not only are we offering our members this leading-edge pulse oximetry solution, but we are able to do so with the economics and value that our members demand."
Over 100 clinical studies have supported the position that Masimo SET is the gold standard in pulse oximetry, providing the most accurate and reliable performance in cases of patient motion, low perfusion and other challenging conditions. In order to make this technology available to the largest number of clinicians possible, Masimo has undertaken a broad initiative to establish relationships with key GPOs across the country. Consorta represents the latest success in this ongoing effort.
"We are pleased to announce this new agreement, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Consorta and their respective members," reports Joe E. Kiani, CEO of Masimo Corporation. "The decision for Consorta to ensure its members have access to Masimo SET pulse oximetry and Masimo Rainbow SET pulse CO-Oximetry should be rewarding to all, including Consorta's member hospitals and their patients. We appreciate Consorta's efforts to make this possible and look forward to this opportunity to provide Consorta's physicians and patients our technology with its proven ability to overcome pulse oximetry data dropouts, false alarms and inaccurate measurements caused by low perfusion, patient motion, dyshemoglobins and other challenging conditions."
About Masimo
Masimo, founded in 1989, is the inventor and leader of Signal Extraction Technology® for the non-invasive monitoring of vital signs. Masimo Signal Extraction Technology, or Masimo SET®, represents the standard of care for pulse oximeters. With its worldwide introduction in 1998, Masimo SET overcame data dropouts, false alarms and inaccurate measurements due to patient motion, low perfusion and other challenging conditions. Over 100 clinical studies support the conclusion that Masimo SET is the most effective pulse oximeter in the world.
With the advent of Rainbow(TM) Technology, Masimo ushers in a new era for noninvasive monitoring, where patients at risk of respiratory and cardiac complications, carbon monoxide poisoning and other life threatening diseases can be safely, noninvasively and accurately monitored with Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM). Masimo is headquartered in Irvine, California. Additional information about Masimo and its products can be found at www.masimo.com.
About Consorta
Consorta, based in suburban Chicago, is a leading healthcare resource management and group purchasing organization, whose shareholders are faith- based or non-profit health systems. As a cooperative, Consorta's shareholders and participants share fully in the organization's bottom-line performance, as well as receiving significant discounts through scale purchasing economies. Consorta's Shareholders are among the leading integrators of non-profit health care in America, sponsoring significant care providers in many parts of the country. Consorta's 13 Shareholder health care systems represent 60% of all Catholic hospitals in the United States, own many extended and alternate care sites and have extensive affiliate relationships with other non-profit hospitals and alternate care facilities. For more information visit www.consorta.com.
Masimo, Signal Extraction Technology and SET are registered trademarks of Masimo Corporation. Signal Extraction is a trademark of Masimo Corporation. Rainbow and Pulse CO-Oximetry are trademarks of Masimo Laboratories. Consorta is trademark of Consorta.
