When hospitals and health systems merge, what happens to their distinct supply chains?
"The average hospital has tens of thousands of supplies — from bandages to cardiac stents — on its inventory list," wrote Steve Lamb, partner at Implant Partners, on the company blog. "Multiply that by several hospitals in a health system and supply management quickly adds up to massive — and massively expensive — undertaking."
However, mergers and acquisitions provide an opportunity for hospitals and health systems to address efficiencies and reduce costs by reexamining the purchasing processes, Mr. Lamb wrote.
He offers the following three tips to streamline supply chain costs in the operating room in M&As.
1. Emphasize data points such as cost that affect purchasing decisions when working with clinicians to make device selections.
2. Be transparent when discussing costs and impact on outcomes.
3. Thoroughly evaluate all vendors while in the middle of a merger to make sure the system is working with the best partner for efficiency and cost-effective purchasing.
More articles on supply chain:
GPOs save money, but is it enough? The case against group purchasing
5 common misconceptions about hospital purchased services
5 principles to build a strategic supply chain