Announcement of an Exempt Purchase

Boston Scientific Corporation and Subsidiaries? WATCHMAN implant is a left atrial appendage device which aids in stroke risk reduction and is an option for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are seeking an alternative to long-term warfarin therapy. The WATCHMAN implant is designed to close off the heart?s left atrial appendage, preventing the formation of blood clots that could lead to a stroke. The WATCHMAN LAA (Left Atrial Appendage) Closure Technology is intended to prevent thrombus embolization from the left atrial appendage and reduce the risk of life-threatening bleeding events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are eligible for anticoagulation therapy or who have a contraindication to anticoagulation therapy. The WATCHMAN device is indicated to reduce the risk of thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are at increased risk for stroke and systemic embolism based on CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores, are deemed by their physicians to be unsuitable for warfarin, and have an appropriate rationale to seek a non-pharmacologic alternative to warfarin.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) Boston Scientific?s implants have to do with direct patient care. Without access to these specific supplies the University of Illinois Hospital would not be able to offer surgical procedures and care, that in turn would drive patients elsewhere and result in a loss of revenue to the University of Illinois Hospital.