CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug 26, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced new agreements for
catheter/tube securement products (formerly known as vascular access
securement devices) with C.R. Bard, Inc. Included is the StatLock line
of devices marketed by Venetec International before its acquisition by
Bard.

The 36-month agreement, effective September 1, 2008, is available to
acute care and continuum of care members of the Premier healthcare
alliance.

About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
recipient

Serving more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals and 53,000-plus other healthcare
sites, the Premier healthcare alliance and its members are transforming
healthcare together. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier operates
one of the leading healthcare purchasing networks and the nation's most
comprehensive repository of hospital clinical and financial information.
A subsidiary operates one of the nation's largest policy-holder owned,
hospital professional liability risk-retention groups. A world leader in
helping healthcare providers deliver dramatic improvements in care,
Premier is working with the United Kingdom's National Health Service
North West and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve
hospital performance. Headquartered in San Diego, Premier has offices in
Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Washington. For more information,
visit www.premierinc.com.

SOURCE: Premier Inc.

Premier Inc. 
Henry Bostic, 704-733-5695; henry_bostic@premierinc.com

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