To help raise awareness of and prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), Cardinal Health will host the inaugural Chasing Zero Summit, featuring Dr. Alan Greenspan and top healthcare authorities. Guest speakers will discuss clinical, financial and operational solutions to growing this patient safety issue.

Dublin, OH (PRWEB) July 31, 2008 - To help fight the spread and impact of Hospital (http://www.chasingzero.com/HAI)-Acquired Infections (HAIs), Cardinal Health will host the inaugural Chasing Zero Summit on Sept. 8-10 at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C.

The event will focus on the leadership and operational issues that the hospital (http://www.chasingzero.com/HAI) and healthcare (http://www.chazingzero.com/HAI) industries are facing as they push for a zero-tolerance approach for HAIs. The event features an intimate, in-depth and candid question-and-answer session with influential economic leader and chairman of the Federal Reserve System (1987-2006), Dr. Alan Greenspan.

The Chasing Zero Summit also will feature a series of HAI-focused topical sessions and presentations led by the country's foremost health authorities. Attendees will be among the first to hear Dr. Thomas Valuck, medical officer and senior advisor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Center for Medicare Management, address the August 2008 CMS policy release, which will identify the final HAIs that will have new, lower reimbursements starting Oct. 1.

Other speakers include:

• Peter Angood, M.D., FRCS(C), FACS, FCCM, vice president and chief patient safety officer of the Joint Commission

• Donald M. Berwick, M.D., MPP, president and CEO of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

• Leah Binder, MA, MGA, CEO of The Leapfrog Group

• Mark R. Chassin, M.D., MPP, MPH, president of the Joint Commission

• Carolyn Clancy, M.D., director of the Agency for Healthcare (http://www.chasingzero.com/HAI) Research & Quality (AHRQ)

• Janet M. Corrigan, Ph.D., MBA, president and CEO of the National Quality Forum (NQF)

• David R. Hunt, M.D., FACS, chief medical officer (CMO) in the Office of Health IT Adoption for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., director, Engelberg Center for Healthcare Reform at the Brookings Institution; Leonard D. Schaeffer chair in health policy studies; administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services'(CMS) (2004 - 2006); and commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2002 - 2004)

• Uwe E. Reinhardt, Ph.D., James Madison professor of political economics, Princeton University

HAIs are a major concern for healthcare organizations because of their staggering human toll and significant economic impact. It has been estimated that in the United States:

• HAIs occur in 1.7 million patients annually and account for 50 percent of all major hospital complications;

• Nearly 100,000 patients with HAIs die each year, approximately 270 patients per day;

• Hospital infections are associated with nearly $20 billion in avoidable costs and foregone revenues every year;

Hospital executives, board members, healthcare professionals, insurance company representatives and governing agencies can register and learn more at www.chasingzero.com/HAI. Summit attendees will leave armed with the information they need to lead effective HAI management programs and to be better prepared for pending HAI reimbursement changes from CMS.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is an $87 billion, global company serving the healthcare industry with products and services that help hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies reduce costs, improve safety, productivity and profitability, and deliver better care to patients. With a focus on making supply chains more efficient, reducing hospital-acquired infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors, Cardinal Health develops market-leading technologies, including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing systems, MedMined™ electronic infection surveillance service, VIASYS® respiratory care products and the CareFusion™ patient identification system. The company also manufactures medical and surgical products and is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies worldwide. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 40,000 people on five continents. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.

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