Beckman Coulter Inc, Brea, Calif, and Augusta University Medical Center, recently signed a 15-year master service agreement, formally launching an alliance to create innovative models of care utilizing technology and process improvement methodologies in the laboratory setting. The partnership is expected to provide enhanced patient care and significant long-term cost savings for the medical center.

Through the alliance, the medical center will have access to the entire suite of diagnostic solutions from Danaher Corp, parent company of Beckman. Resources available to the university will include Beckman’s laboratory automation, instruments, software, assays, and services, as well as diagnostic offerings from Leica Biosystems and Radiometer.

The agreement also provides Augusta University Medical Center with the benefit of implementing Danaher’s proprietary business improvement processes, known as the Danaher Business System (DBS), which seeks to increase productivity and improve financial performance in business settings.

“We appreciate partnerships that allow us the opportunity to develop innovative solutions to significant healthcare challenges,” says Brooks Keel, PhD, Augusta University president and health system CEO. “I am optimistic that our alliance with Beckman Coulter will result in a more efficient process for our hospital and a better healthcare experience for our patients.”

Arnd Kaldowski, president of Beckman Coulter’s diagnostics division and Danaher Group executive, says, “We can better serve our partners through this full-service, advanced business model that leverages the strength of multiple diagnostic operating companies under Danaher, as well as DBS, to help them achieve exceptional financial and quality performance.” Specific benefits of the alliance are anticipated to include:

  • Streamlined laboratory operations through robotics and software
  • Standardization of instrumentation and middleware
  • Reduction of service and maintenance issues
  • Elimination of cyclical major capital expense and implementation costs
  • Access to innovative tests and diagnostic solutions
  • Lasting quality and efficiency benefits through laboratory-wide process improvements

“We look forward to working with the progressive team at Augusta University Medical Center,” says John Nosenzo, senior vice president of global customer operations at Beckman Coulter. “This alliance and business model will help ensure success of their goal ‘right patient, right test, right time’ by leveraging all we have to offer. It will also help support our goal of continually deepening our understanding of the unique challenges health providers face so we can better serve our customers across the globe.”

“We are grateful to be partnering with Beckman Coulter; it gives our medical center the opportunity to continue to develop a new model for the healthcare industry that stresses better outcomes for patients through innovation, new technologies, and collaboration,” says Shawn Vincent, interim chief operating officer at Augusta University Medical Center and enterprise vice president of partnerships for international healthcare and strategic affiliations.

“This strategic alliance we have with Beckman Coulter gives us the tools needed to meet our growing needs as a healthcare system,” adds Tad Gomez, vice president of professional services at Augusta University Medical Center. “I anticipate extraordinary results, as this will allow us to improve the service we provide to our patients.”

For more information, visit Beckman Coulter and Augusta University Medical Center.