Novation, the Irving, TX-based healthcare supply chain expert and contracting company for the members of VHA Inc., UHC, Children’s Hospital Association, and Provista LLC, has awarded agreements to two suppliers of surgical nonwovens: Kimberly-Clark and Medline.

The surgical nonwovens product category includes standard packs, drapes and gowns, and bulk non-sterile products. The agreements are effective January 1, 2013.

The surgical nonwovens will be included in a future standardization program, also effective January 1. Novation’s standardization programs save members millions of dollars each year, according to the company, and assist healthcare organizations in reducing variation in their non-clinical preference products while increasing ordering efficiencies and streamlining inventory management. These programs deliver value while offering flexibility, a platform for process improvement, and a broad selection of contracts for key product areas of standardization.

The new agreements, awarded through Novation’s competitive contracting process, offer savings of up to 8-9% over market pricing for member hospitals, the company says.

“These agreements offer market-leading value and savings, as well as high quality and superior service with respected suppliers,” says Pete Allen, senior vice president, sourcing operations at Novation. “Providing high-quality patient care in the most cost-efficient manner possible is more important to hospitals than ever before. The current economic climate is challenging for hospitals, and Medline and Kimberly-Clark have proven they are committed to delivering outstanding value and service to the members we serve.”