Technology, process optimization and analysis are three ways ASCs can improve supply chain operations, according to Grant Thornton's Operations Transformation Principal Jeff Berman, who leads the company's healthcare supply chain practice.
Three insights Mr. Berman shared with Becker's ASC Review:
1. Look to the healthcare supply chain to unlock value. As the healthcare industry braces for a new era of transformation and increasing margin pressure, leaders are reassessing their organization's ability to unlock value. Many leaders are looking to the supply chain as a value enabler by conducting process optimization and implementing new operating models that rapidly drive out costs. Involving key stakeholders across finance, supply chain and clinical operations is critical to breaking down barriers and driving a common goal of efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Source to pay is a key area of focus for optimizing spend. Studies indicate that more than two-thirds of healthcare organizations do not know where they spend their money. As such, the source to pay process is typically the first target area for understanding and optimizing spend profiles. Value levers such as consolidation of vendors, centralization of contracting and procurement and streamlined flow of goods through departments top the list for maximizing value within the healthcare supply chain.
3. Get your head into the cloud to enable your organization. Many organizations are embarking on cloud-based suites to enable frictionless flow of information from EHR to ERP systems and serve as a single source of truth, which provides scale, visibility and control of data and information across the health system. Start by leveraging mobile and digitized technology that simplifies interactions at the point of need for providers, patients and supply chain staff. Next focus on data for analytics that provide proactive and contextual insights for faster and more accurate decision-making.