Focus on equipment, supplies to find hidden $$
Focus on equipment, supplies to find hidden $$
When trying to find ways to cut costs with your supplies and equipment, consider working with one specific vendor within a group purchasing organization (GPO) and reduce your purchasing orders (POs), advises Terry Hawes, RN, vice president of Dallas-based National Surgical Care.
Often, outpatient surgery managers will spend a significant amount of time and energy shopping around and going to vendors to "nickel and dime them to death to save money," she says. "They're not."
First, use a GPO, Hawes advises. POs are very expensive, she points out. It takes staff time to create POs, and more POs mean more invoices for accounts payable to handle, Hawes says. Also, it takes time to reconcile that PO to the invoice when it comes in, Hawes says. A PO that requires a significant amount of time can end up costing between $35 and $75, depending on the order, Hawes says. If you can process these orders electronically, they will cost you only $1 to process, she says. "Always do electronic whenever possible."
Pick a group purchasing organization (GPO) that is focused on ambulatory surgery, she advises. Some GPOs treat ambulatory surgery centers as an afterthought, Hawes warns. With those GPOs, "you won't see the rep very often," she says.
Others provide good reporting back to the center, a representative with a high level of communication with you, and availability to answer questions and handle problems, Hawes says. "Those are the ones you want to partner with," she says. It's a plus if they offer ongoing education regarding their products, Hawes adds.
Stick to your agreement to obtain the best savings, she says. For example, if your agreement says you may be a Level 3 tier if you buy a set amount of their products, "you need to attain and maintain the level you've agreed to," Hawes says.
Use generic items as much as possible, she suggests. While they need to be approved by your physicians first, "generics are always less expensive," Hawes says. (See more tips, below.)
Tip of the month: Avoid
overnight shipping charges Outpatient surgery managers should order their supplies far ahead, TerryHawes, RN, RN, vice president of Dallas-based National Surgical Care, says. “Overnight shipping can kill you,” she says. Do whatever you can to eliminate it, including look father ahead in your schedule and/or establishing just-in-time inventory process with a distributor to avoid overnight shipping. “This is a hidden cost a lot of people don’t think of,” Hawes warns. |
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