Health systems shifting their resources to outpatient care must execute a strong non-acute care strategy in order to succeed, according to McKesson.
Three ways to create an operational model that facilitates long-term growth:
1. Lower spending on direct shipments. Surgery centers may receive direct shipments from 100-plus suppliers, and shipping rates add up. Money saved by reducing freight spend can be invested into capital equipment for the surgery center.
2. Prioritize case costing. Knowing the true cost of a procedure helps health systems compare performance among surgery centers, facilitates accurate budget forecasting and improves contract negotiations. Use the scale of the health system to lower the cost per case.
3. Use technology for savings and efficiency. Supply chain management is hindered by poor technology integration, fragmented procurement processes and mixtures of direct and distributed vendor relationships. Automate manual tasks to free up nurses' time and ensure centers have the right supplies.