2. ENSURE VISIBILITY INTO MED/SURG SPEND AND INVENTORY

Organizations can only manage what they can see. Non-acute providers that don’t have full visibility into their supplies can experience product shortages, overstocking, waste or outdated items sitting in inventory. This is especially true when facilities have multiple locations.
 
Gaining visibility entails conducting a full audit of the facility’s current supply usage and purchasing patterns. Procurement teams can analyze spend data and inventory turnover rates to identify gaps or redundancies in purchasing and find opportunities to standardize products.

Supply transparency creates the foundation for smarter planning, improved demand forecasting and a smoother supply chain. As a result, visibility builds confidence in on-time, readily available supplies.

3. USE CONTRACTING POWER TO CUT WASTE AND RISK

One of the most effective ways to improve the med/surg supply chain is by working with a trusted group purchasing organization (GPO) that specializes in non-acute care. GPOs like Provista offer access to pre-vetted suppliers, quality products and competitively priced contracts that help ensure product availability and compliance.
 
By working with a reputable GPO, healthcare providers can take advantage of collective purchasing power, consistent pricing and favorable contract terms that may not be available to organizations facilitating contracts on their own. These cost-saving contracts are especially valuable for non-acute care organizations looking to stretch their budgets without compromising on product availability.

Beyond pricing benefits, GPO partnerships also offer peace of mind. Facilities can have confidence knowing that their med/surg supply needs are coming from industry-leading suppliers. That trust translates into better planning and less disruption.

4. STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS

A successful med/surg strategy doesn’t live in a silo, isolated from other departments. It entails ongoing collaboration between clinical and procurement teams. Clinicians want to feel heard when it comes to product performance and availability, including their preferences for certain brands, while the procurement team must focus on supply chain efficiency, cost and compliance.

Establishing regular meetings to share feedback and identify potential issues helps ensure product choices and the right inventory to meet both value-based care and operational goals. The meetings also reduce the risk of surprise shortages or last-minute product substitutions that can affect care.

Collaboration across clinical and procurement teams can lead to more informed decisions about which med/surg products to buy, standardize or replace. Engaging various stakeholders from multiple departments helps build trust and supports efficiency in purchasing.

5. CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE WITH DATA, ANALYTICS AND KPIS

The best med/surg supply strategies evolve with the organization. Real-time dashboards and analytics can offer visibility into usage trends, inventory levels and order accuracy. These insights help providers make data-driven decisions that support supply and inventory management.

By monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to both clinical goals and business outcomes, non-acute care providers can spot supply issues early, take action quickly and continuously refine their supply chain strategy. 

For example, if fill rates are trending down or product turnover is slow, the data can inform timely adjustments before the issues affect patient care. Metrics also give providers the insights needed to build a supply chain that’s not only efficient, but resilient. 
A GPO like Provista can help facilities with cost savings analysis for med/surg supply. Likewise, a GPO can help organizations develop dashboards and optimize performance metrics to monitor supply, drive confidence and act as growth enablers.

BUILDING LONG-TERM MED/SURG CONFIDENCE

Med/surg supply chain confidence doesn’t happen immediately. It’s built one step at a time. By moving from a reactive to a proactive approach, gaining visibility into supply chains, partnering with a GPO, fostering communication and using data analytics, non-acute care providers can take control of their supply chain to better support clinical and operational performance.

For today’s ambulatory healthcare providers, facing med/surg shortages is no longer an option. With a smart strategy and the right partners, supply chain confidence becomes a reality that helps facilities focus on delivering quality value-based care.