Vizient announced today that it entered into an agreement with Encompass Group for its Novaplus Enhanced Supply program for personal protective equipment.
Irving, Texas-based Vizient said in a news release that the agreement will increase the supply of PPE and enable access to 40 million AAMI level three disposable isolation gowns annually for its member hospitals. The agreement also includes disposable bouffant caps and shoe covers for healthcare workers.
Vizient’s program is part of its strategy to create a more resilient supply chain by increasing visibility of raw materials and product origin, expanding domestic capacity and adding onshore inventory for member hospitals.
Under the agreement, Encompass expects to begin manufacturing in the U.S. in 2021, but will continue to use manufacturing lines created in Mexico until that time.
“Bringing new PPE suppliers to our members demonstrates Vizient’s commitment to meeting the needs of hospitals during this time of unprecedented demand,” Vizient senior VP of sourcing operations David Gillan said in the release. “We expect to add other suppliers of essential medical supplies to the Novaplus Enhanced Supply Program in the coming weeks.”