Battelle Acquires the Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Jan 13, 2014) - Hospitals have the opportunity to become safer, more affordable and more efficient because of Battelle's recent acquisition of the Healthcare Accreditation Colloquium. The purchase, finalized on Jan. 2, will add Battelle's extensive experience with analytics to the healthcare process improvement systems pioneered by the Colloquium. The resulting ability to track and predict medical and financial outcomes while improving the quality of care are critical in today's healthcare environment.

"We believe strongly in what the Colloquium does," said Dr. Robert Wilkins, a Battelle executive and now CEO for the new subsidiary, renamed The Healthcare Colloquium. "Its mission is to make the healthcare system function better, and that aligns with Battelle's mission of using science and technology to help humanity," he said. "The new organization can make a major impact on process improvement that directly affects patient care."

Founded by Dr. Tony Joseph, the Colloquium is a hospital membership organization currently focused on bringing the system of process improvement to the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses. Battelle will widen that focus and utilize its experience in advanced statistics and predictive analytics to uncover operational inefficiencies, further enhancing the system Joseph established. The ability to analyze immense amounts of data to learn what's happening now, what will happen in the future, and what's gone on in the past will help in the quest.

Joseph, who will serve as chief strategic officer for The Healthcare Colloquium, said he expects the new collaboration to drive the organization to new heights. "Healthcare today is in the 20^th century and the Colloquium is helping to move it to the 21^st century," he said. "We've had limited resources but with some big successes. In order to have more impact, we needed the kind of expertise and resources Battelle brings to the table."

Current members of the Colloquium vouch for its effectiveness. Dr. Mark Starling, Chief Medical Officer of Banner Heart Hospital, said providing quality healthcare requires having an effective system to deliver appropriate, efficient care at the right time and at the right level. "The Colloquium has fostered creative thinking, design and implementation of effective systems to deliver such healthcare across Banner Health," he said.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

About The Healthcare Colloquium

As a hospital membership organization, the Colloquium is comprised of a wide range of member hospitals with a common shared passion: pre-eminence in caring for those with critical illnesses. Starting with the individual and using a relationship care model, member hospitals work together to identify what is important throughout the entire continuum of care. The Colloquium's approach includes traditional process improvement methods as well cultural change in the delivery of healthcare.