Most ASC administrators are aware that contracting with a group purchasing organization can help lower supply costs, but simply joining the organization may not be enough. Sandy Berreth, administrator of Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center in Baxter, Minn., discusses three ways to get the most out of your relationship with your GPO.
1. Research the GPO's activity. An affiliation with a good GPO is essential to keep ASC supply costs low, Ms. Berreth says. Unfortunately, many ASCs contract with a GPO and then assume that their work is done. "Don't sign up and then just assume that you're getting the very best price for the supplies you're buying," she says. "You have to stay on top of that GPO, find out what contracts they're working on and what the best products they have are."
She says your ASC should check in at least once a quarter, and if possible, once a month or once a week with your GPO.
2. Keep in touch with your GPO representative. Ms. Berreth says ASCs that affiliate with GPOs will be assigned a sales representative to act as a liaison between the center and the organization. "Sometimes those sales reps are really good and they keep you informed," she says. "Sometimes they're really busy people and they have multiple organizations they're working with, so you have to stay on top of them."
She says this means talking to the sales representative once a week and finding out what the GPO is working on. "If they're working on a suture contract, we might ask them every week, 'What are the changes? What are you guys thinking?'" Don't wait for the representative to come to you. Be proactive and make the phone call.
3. Take advantage of GPO webinars and other tools. Ms. Berreth says GPOs will frequently offer webinars that are free to ASC members. "They'll tell you a lot of great hints on what's coming down the pike and which supplies are going to be more inexpensive than others," she says. The GPO may also ask for information from you, which could help them secure better contracts in the future. "Do the webinars, do the informational things that the GPO suggests you do," she says. She recommends reading the GPO's website on a regular basis, as webinars are offered frequently, and many websites will post articles that offer helpful hints on supply chain savings.
1. Research the GPO's activity. An affiliation with a good GPO is essential to keep ASC supply costs low, Ms. Berreth says. Unfortunately, many ASCs contract with a GPO and then assume that their work is done. "Don't sign up and then just assume that you're getting the very best price for the supplies you're buying," she says. "You have to stay on top of that GPO, find out what contracts they're working on and what the best products they have are."
She says your ASC should check in at least once a quarter, and if possible, once a month or once a week with your GPO.
2. Keep in touch with your GPO representative. Ms. Berreth says ASCs that affiliate with GPOs will be assigned a sales representative to act as a liaison between the center and the organization. "Sometimes those sales reps are really good and they keep you informed," she says. "Sometimes they're really busy people and they have multiple organizations they're working with, so you have to stay on top of them."
She says this means talking to the sales representative once a week and finding out what the GPO is working on. "If they're working on a suture contract, we might ask them every week, 'What are the changes? What are you guys thinking?'" Don't wait for the representative to come to you. Be proactive and make the phone call.
3. Take advantage of GPO webinars and other tools. Ms. Berreth says GPOs will frequently offer webinars that are free to ASC members. "They'll tell you a lot of great hints on what's coming down the pike and which supplies are going to be more inexpensive than others," she says. The GPO may also ask for information from you, which could help them secure better contracts in the future. "Do the webinars, do the informational things that the GPO suggests you do," she says. She recommends reading the GPO's website on a regular basis, as webinars are offered frequently, and many websites will post articles that offer helpful hints on supply chain savings.