News
Keeping up-to-date on developments in health care supply chain management is a constant challenge for providers. Let IPC help you stay at the top of your game in this dynamic area.
IPC's Managing Executive interviewed by The Journal of Healthcare Contracting
Patrick Sonin, Managing Executive of the IPC Group Purchasing and Vice President of the Illinois Hospital Association, was recently interviewed by The Journal of Healthcare Contracting to learn more about IPC Group Purchasing - its roots, its mission and what lies ahead. IPC Group Purchasing was started in 2006, the goal was simple, to bring together independent hospitals and systems to leverage their collective strength to drive down their supply chain expenses.
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The Journal of Healthcare Contracting April 2013 Article
Edward Hospital & Health Services and Central DuPage Health honored "Best 50" Healthcare Providers for Streamlining Operations and Reducing Costs Through Supply Chain by Global HealthCare Exchange, LLC (GHX)
For their work in improving operational performance and driving down costs through supply chain automation, GHX is honoring 50 healthcare provider organizations with its 2012 GHX Best 50 Customer awards. The award recipients were honored at the 2013 GHX Healthcare Supply Chain Summit, which took place May 20-22, 2013, in Las Vegas.
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IPC Reports Top Contract Savings of $2.6 million
Through IPC Group Purchasing's regional contracting program, participating members realized savings of $2,605,750 in the top five new contracts in 2012. Savings were generated from contracts in pharmacy, surgical services and imaging services. Recently, IPC's Advisory Council met to review last year's performance and identify priorities and goals for 2013,recognizing that the bridge to health care reform will require a greater emphasis on standardization, utilization and cost reduction within their organizations' supply chains.
As a member driven organization, leadership is provided by the IPC Advisory Council, a forum where the supply chain leaders from each member health care organization share their knowledge and experience in clinical and non-clinical areas. Working with IPC staff, the Council identifies and negotiates regional aggregated contracts that drive additional savings for members. IPC's diverse contract portfolio allows all members to receive the same aggressive pricing through their aggregation model.
In 2012, IPC launched several new contracts including: Pharmacy Wholesaler Distribution, Endomechanical Products, Radiopharmaceuticals, Ionic/Non-Ionic Contrast Media, and MR Contrast Media. Advisory Council members worked collectively to lower costs through volume aggregation and commitment. As a newer Council member recently stated, "There's a strong alliance among the IPC members which is fostered by the fact that the members primarily drive the Collaborative's decision making process."
Each year, the Council identifies priorities and contract initiatives resulting in formation of the annual IPC Strategic Plan. The 2013 plan emphasizes a committed contracting process to achieve maximum value for the members and increased contract participation. Best practices will be shared along with comparative benchmarking at the regional and national levels.
To learn more about IPC Group Purchasing, please contact Patrick Sonin, Managing Executive, 630.276.5458.
IPC Hosts Meeting on Cardiac Rhythm Management
IPC Group Purchasing focused on cardiac rhythm management at a Dec. 7 educational meeting for supply chain directors, cardiac directors and managers, and clinical purchasing staff, drawing 33 participants.
With national annual spending of $5.1 billion, cardiac rhythm management is a major expense for hospitals. The category includes pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, and accessories which support implantation of these devices.
At the meeting, IPC members learned about methods for improving the selection of cardiac devices to drive high quality outcomes for patients while reducing costs for hospitals. Physician engagement was cited as a key success factor for effective cost reduction, and members learned about best practices and benchmarks to achieve optimal results. Members also learned about the new contracts launched by IPC's Group Purchasing partner, Premier, and the tools available to support contract implementation.
For more information contact Patrick Sonin, Managing Executive, IPC.
Edward Hospital & Health Services named one of the Elite 11 for 2012 by Healthcare Purchasing News
For the second consecutive year, Healthcare Purchasing News features its annual "Supply Chain Operations Worth Watching" tally of those forward-thinking facilities paving the way for true value-based purchasing processes.
Through reader input, interviews, reporting and research, HPN chose an elite group of 11 to join the elite group of 18 profiled last year as being ahead of the curve. Edward Hospital & Health Services was recently added to this group. The following overview of their supply chain success in 2012 was highlighted in HPN.
Tucked in the far west suburbs of Chicago, Edward is notching some peak performance gains with a "record-breaking" fiscal 2012. The non-salary expense reduction team cut more than $3 million in expenses during the last two years (and aspiring to double that) and generated 99.98 percent price accuracy with its primary medical/surgical supply distributor. Supply chain drafted the C-suite and used comprehensive data to engage orthopedic surgeons to work together in cutting costs without sacrificing quality. Along the way, the surgeons were convinced to commit to moving market share in exchange for cost savings that made sense for their practices and patients.
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Illinois Hospital Integrating Payor, Provider Data to Improve Employee, Community Health
Edward Hospital & Health Services using new solution from Premier healthcare alliance, Verisk Health to better manage population health.
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IPC's Managing Executive Speaks at Healthcare Supplier/Provider Institute in Chicago
Patrick Sonin, Managing Executive of the IPC Group Purchasing and Vice President of the Illinois Hospital Association, spoke as part of the regional purchasing coalition (RPC) panel at the Healthcare Supplier/Provider Institute which was held August 23-24, 2012 in Chicago. Sonin shared the challenges and issues IPC experiences in today's environment and how suppliers and RPCs can effectively work together.
IPC Members Honored by Premier
Premier, IPC's national group purchasing organization partner, honored a number of IPC members at its 2012 Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee in early June.
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