In the hospital supply chain, purchased services can offer significant savings for organizations, sometimes up to 30 percent.
Dallas-based MD Buyline, a supply chain management solutions provider, outlines five trending categories of purchased services seen in hospitals nationwide.
1. Transcription services. Hospitals are tending to implement transcription services to either supplement transcriptionists or replace transcriptionists, according to the report. As a supplement, the software transcribes dictations, and the transcriptionist edits for accuracy. As a replacement, the software does the whole job. Such technologies include voice recognition software and integration with the electronic health record.
2. Linens. Every hospital bed needs linens, so this seemingly benign product can rack up costs. The linen market is currently undergoing some mergers and acquisitions, as larger companies are seeking to expand their coverage area by acquiring smaller linen companies. These changes make it difficult to benchmark, according to the report, but they also provide an opportunity for savings.
3. Clinical services. Hospitals are seeking out purchased services for dialysis, perfusion and reference laboratories functions. These are often charged on a fee-for-service plan, and vendors may include extra charges for setting up equipment, cancellation, delivery charges and consumable supplies.
4. Parking and valet services. According to the report, hospitals are taking one of two approaches for parking and valet purchased services. In one case, hospitals pay an hourly staffing rate to the parking/valet service provider, and hospitals guests receive complimentary parking. In the other case, hospitals pay an hourly rate for valet attendants, and visitors pay a flat valet fee. The valet provider then returns a percentage of the fee to the hospital, reducing the hospital's net cost.
5. Food services. Instead of making capital purchases and modernizations through food service providers, MD Buyline suggests setting a catering budget, which vendors may be incentivized to follow.
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