PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA -- ECRI Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, will serve as an unbiased expert, offering equipment purchasing clients the inside track on the latest medical equipment at Broadlane's upcoming Computed Tomography (CT) Live Group Buy.

"Roughly 41 percent of hospitals will be purchasing a CT this year," said Kerry Tucker, vice president, supply chain services, Broadlane. "By combining ECRI Institute's state-of-the-art technology and marketplace insight with Broadlane's rigorous Live Group Buy process, attendees should achieve double-digit savings and confidence they are making wise product choices based on the best information available."

ECRI Institute will present a technology session and be on-hand as an expert resource during the CT Live Group Buy, which will occur March 26-28 at Broadlane headquarters in Dallas, TX.

ECRI Institute will provide event participants insight into:

* The state of the marketplace: What technologies are available now and where are they heading?
* Key clinical issues: What issues are most important when considering a purchase?
* Recent technological advances: How do these advances impact performance and value?

Participants have three options:

1. Attend the Live Group Buy with the ECRI Institute technology seminar.
2. Attend only the ECRI Institute technology seminar.
3. Call into an audio conference for key topics in the ECRI Institute seminar.

"We are always looking for ways to clarify the technology and help the medical purchasing community make the best value decision," said Thomas Skorup, FACHE, vice president, applied solutions, ECRI Institute. "This is our way of providing objective research in an unbiased purchasing process. We are very excited and looking forward to a new way to leverage our common strengths with Broadlane's Live Group Buy."

"By collaborating with ECRI Institute, it is our goal to provide our customers with the best technology at the best value," said Tucker. "ECRI Institute is an experienced source of technology information for all attendees of the 2008 CT Live Group Buy."

Future Live Group Buys: The Cardiac Cath Lab/Angio Suites Live Group Buy will be held April 23-25, and the MRI Live Group Buy will be held May 28-30. Other Live Group Buys scheduled for 2008 include Ultrasound, Digital Mammography, Digital Radiography, Nuclear Medicine/PET-CT, and Radiography and Fluoroscopy (R&F).

Broadlane Live Group Buys
The Broadlane Live Group Buy process is unique within the industry: Participants determine and weight the criteria used to evaluate the equipment and suppliers. Participants then rate supplier technology, identify key operational support components, participate in live negotiations and ultimately make a contract award.

More Industry Headlines