Kaiser taps ultrasound providers

Ultrasound vendors Acuson and Siemens Ultrasound are the latest recipients of contracts from HMO Kaiser Permanente. After naming Acuson to be its sole provider of radiology and vascular ultrasound systems (SCAN 9/3/97), Kaiser has also named Acuson its selected vendor for cardiac ultrasound systems in adult, pediatric, intraoperative, and stress echocardiography applications.

As part of the two-year, sole-source agreement, Kaiser will buy replacement and additional Sequoia C256 and Aspen echocardiography systems over the term of the contract. The agreement also includes two single-year extension options, according to Mountain View, CA-based Acuson. Kaiser's previous preferred vendor for cardiac ultrasound was Hewlett-Packard.

In another Kaiser contract, the HMO awarded Siemens Ultrasound a two-year agreement to be its sole provider of ob/gyn, emergency-room, and urology ultrasound scanners. Under the terms of the deal, Kaiser will purchase multiple Sonoline Prima systems. The contract is valued at $1 million per year, according to the Issaquah, WA-based firm.