Features - Enterprise Data Insights:

VHA EXPANDS AGREEMENT WITH IBM

VHA Inc has expanded its agreement with IBM to offer storage products, additional servers, and Cisco hardware and maintenance services to VHA's nationwide network of 2,200 community-owned health care organizations.

The new storage offerings are intended to help participating health care organizations improve their data storage capabilities. Hospitals nationwide require more digital storage as they implement clinical technology such as picture archiving and communications systems. Storage is also critical in privacy and security initiatives such as compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, according to Kate Evans, VHA's senior director of contract services.

"IBM has consistently helped meet our members' IT needs with outstanding quality, reliability and breadth of portfolio," said Evans. "Expanding our agreement with IBM adds fundamental components to our strategy of helping members address key IT infrastructure needs."

The expanded agreement covers IBM storage products, including disk storage, tape storage systems and network-attached storage. Also added are IBM iSeries and pSeries servers, as well as Cisco advanced networking hardware products and maintenance services. Other products offered under the agreement with IBM include IntelliStation workstations, ThinkPad notebooks and NetVista desktop computers.

"Adding data storage products to our IBM agreement is another way to help members implement PACS technology," said Evans. Novation, the supply company of VHA and the University HealthSystem Consortium, recently signed agreements with Agfa HealthCare, Fujifilm Medical Systems, GE Medical Systems IT and Philips Medical Systems for PACS.

"Our expanding relationship with VHA is another example of how IBM is dedicated to helping hospitals, medical centers and clinics -- especially small- and medium-size facilities -- enhance their patient care, clinical and business processes," said Curtis Tearte, global general manager, IBM Public Sector business unit. "Advanced, on-demand consulting, services, hardware and software are vital in helping our nation's hospitals improve the overall level of healthcare and hold the line on increasing costs."