Specialist trader Peter Elkins works at the post that trades Chevron, PVR Partners and 3M on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, October 24, 2013.

3M today announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its global Health Information Systems business.

3M Co. on Thursday signaled a willingness to sell a health-care software business in its latest effort to prune the company’s vast portfolio of products, ranging from Scotch tape and kitchen sponges to materials used in making computer screens. 3M Co., based in St. Paul, Minnesota, also makes Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics.

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp earlier this year purchased USA healthcare IT services provider TriZetto Corp for $2.7 billion, pushing its second-quarter healthcare revenue up 39 percent. 3M said its growth rate exceeded 10 percent over the past three-, five- and 10-year periods.

The health information systems business provides healthcare data aggregation, analysis and strategic services.

A decision on the unit, which could include retaining and investing in it, may come by the end of Q1 2016. With almost 30 years of healthcare industry experience, 3M Health Information Systems is the go-to choice for more than 5,000 hospitals, as well as government and commercial payers that want to improve quality and financial performance.

In June, 3M agreed to buy Capital Safety, a Bloomington-based maker of harnesses and other fall-protection equipment, for $1.8 billion.