“Today’s non-acute healthcare providers need a data-driven approach that aligns with their strategies to improve patient care while being mindful of costs,” says Jeff Lawrence, Vice President of Business Development for Envi®, which is a Provista company offering a proprietary materials management software solution.
Provista has identified four data-driven ways to streamline and stabilize the non-acute healthcare supply chain to ensure facilities are paying both competitive and accurate pricing, and have visibility to mitigate potential problems.
1. MANAGE YOUR ITEM MASTER TO ENSURE ACCURATE DATA
All data and records about inventory products in an item master must be current, accurate and complete. Item master records must also be consistent across all facility locations—when an organization such as an ambulatory surgery center has multiple sites—to streamline purchasing and avoid pricing discrepancies across locations.
“Too often, we see different sites paying different prices for the exact same item. Eliminating this price disparity requires insights and transparency into pricing and also into item master records,” Lawrence points out. “By using Procurement Services, organizations gain the visibility needed to ensure consistent pricing, align with the lowest available contracted price, and can streamline suppliers from dozens to just a few.”
As a leading non-acute group purchasing organization, Provista helps members create, cleanse and maintain their item master lists. The data can reveal areas where facilities can reduce vendors, streamline procurement and gain better tier pricing.
