3M today announced that Premier, Inc., a company specializing in healthcare performance improvement, has awarded a sole source contract to 3M for their Sterilization Assurance products, which include biological and chemical indicators, Bowie Dick tests, and indicator tapes. 3M products will now be available to Premier’s more than 2,400 member hospitals and nearly 70,000 other healthcare sites. The contract is effective starting October 1, 2010.

Separately, 3M was also awarded the ASCEND contract, a sole source award for facilities that participate specifically in the Premier ASCEND program. This program assists member hospitals in their ongoing efforts to control and reduce costs through simplified purchasing processes, appropriate clinical utilization and specially negotiated contracts.

About Premier
Premier is a performance improvement alliance of more than 2,400 U.S. hospitals and nearly 70,000 other healthcare sites working together to achieve high quality, cost-effective care. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier maintains the nation's most comprehensive repository of clinical, financial and outcomes information and operates a leading healthcare purchasing network. A world leader in helping deliver measurable improvements in care, Premier works with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West to improve hospital performance. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier also has offices in San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington. http://www.premierinc.com

About 3M Infection Prevention
3M Infection Prevention Division is truly on a mission to help reduce healthcare-associated infections through its infection prevention solutions. With its system of people, products and processes, 3M remains a trusted partner committed to helping hospitals reduce the risk of infections, improve patient outcomes, and control their bottom lines. Learn more at www.3m.com/infectionprevention.

About 3M Health Care
3M Health Care, one of 3M’s six major business segments, provides world-class innovative products and services to help healthcare professionals improve the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. Learn more at www.3m.com/healthcare.

3MMary Kokkinen, 651-733-8806mckokkinen@mmm.comorWCGMolly Rabinovitz, 312-646-6294mrabinovitz@wcgworld.com