US-based healthcare network Valley Health System has partnered with Medline to provide exclusive medical and surgical supplies for patients in Northern New Jersey and Southern New York.

The multi-year prime vendor distribution agreement covers inpatient acute care hospitals, lab facilities, physician offices and home care services.

Valley Health System had previously worked with a different vendor for the past five years.

Valley Health System supply chain director Orville Carr said: “It is critical that our clinicians have the products they need when they need them to care for our patients.

“Medline's unwavering service to our system through the years has proven invaluable in being about to do that.

“Combined with their investments in on-hand inventory, price assurance plan and our collaboration with their Supply Chain Optimisation team, it is a partnership that will help to optimise our supply chain operations going forward.”

Under the new contract, Medline will serve as Valley Health System's distribution partner for home care services.

The two parties will work together to develop strategies to support supply chain operations and deliver better healthcare on a regional scale.

The agreement also gives Valley Health System access to Medline's analytics platforms, allowing the group to monitor key metrics such as item utilisation, contract compliance and price accuracy.

Medline will serve the health system's network of facilities from its distribution centre in Montgomery, New York.

Medline corporate accounts vice-president Ron Barrett said: "We are honored to be expanding our partnership with Valley Health and continuing to support their mission.

"The Medline team is committed to helping our partners deliver optimal care to the patients they serve by ensuring superior customer service, product availability and solutions support."

Based in Northfield, Illinois, Medline provides medical supplies, distribution and solutions to help providers improve their overall operating performance.

The company employs more than 35,000 colleagues worldwide.