Press Releases
Statement by Blair Childs, senior vice president of Public Affairs, Premier healthcare alliance, on the House provision calling for UDI implementation
Members of the Premier healthcare alliance thank Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA) for his leadership in introducing a provision, included in the House health reform legislation unveiled today, that would require the FDA to issue regulations implementing an unique device identification (UDI) system no later than six months after enactment.
UDI will make it possible to electronically track medical devices that will help prevent adverse events and enhance patient safety. The distressing reality is that we can identify and remove tainted peanut butter and dog food from the market before reaching consumers, but in healthcare, patients risk having a recalled medical device used in their treatment because there is no way to quickly and reliably locate a recalled device. Moreover, we know UDI will improve electronic ordering, inventory management and information sharing to generate estimated savings of $16 billion annually.
The FDA has been working to develop UDI regulations for more than five years. Patients cannot afford to wait any longer, and we urge FDA to act before the proposed six month deadline in the interest of public safety. Visit the Premier Safety Institute for more information on this subject.
About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient
The Premier healthcare alliance is more than 2,300 U.S. hospitals and 64,000-plus other healthcare sites working together to improve healthcare quality and affordability. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier maintains the nation's most comprehensive repository of clinical, financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare purchasing network. A world leader in helping deliver measurable improvements in care, Premier works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West to improve hospital performance. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier also has offices in San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington. Follow Premier on Twitter.