December 21, 2023 – If the pandemic ushered within the worst of occasions for hospital provide chain managers, would a decline in COVID-19 circumstances result in the most effective of occasions? The fact is that hospitals proceed to face persistent – ​​and unabated – pressures, together with shortages of uncooked supplies and prescription drugs, declining affected person numbers and inflation.

That's why strategically oriented provide chain leaders deal with resilience – due to the publicity to provide chain weak point – with out dropping sight of the alternatives for value financial savings.

As a primary step, it is smart to group buying organizations (GPOs) for better stability and financial savings. In spite of everything, a GPO by definition makes use of the collective buying energy of affiliated hospitals to safe reductions on items and providers. Nonetheless, the pandemic has modified the way in which hospitals consider GPOs, and the necessity to rein in provide chain prices has modified the way in which hospitals strategy GPO partnerships.

Hospitals which were hit by provide shortages throughout the pandemic are actually typically questioning what a GPO supplies along with value financial savings. For instance, does the GPO have a diversified product contracting technique? Will the GPO go the additional mile to assist hospitals of all sizes buy various sources in occasions of scarcity?

Learn extra within the newest concern of The Journal of Healthcare Contracting.