Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/381883
71 Supply Chain One center offers a catered lunch for every $10,000 in savings realized and the highest contributor earns dinner for two, says Mr. Johnson. With every staff member pulling in the same direction, goals are reached. 7. Design the ASC storeroom with cost cutting in mind. Surgery center storerooms are often poorly laid out, says Mr. Johnson, and this leads to ineffective materials storage. Designing the storeroom with efficiency in mind will often reduce the number of expedited shipments, the minutes re- quired to prepare a case as well as the errors in picking supplies. The more limited the storeroom footprint, the more important it becomes to have an expert design plan to make the appropriate handling of supplies easier. "Some vendors provide free consulting on the design and layout of materials holding areas. Improving the storage organization will also help eliminate lost inventory by improved visibility and rotation," he says. 8. Consider reprocessing. "Looking at some disposables that you can reprocess is an effective way to save supply chain costs," says Mr. Billstein. "But ensure that the supplies are appropriate and safe to reprocess." Some centers are very invested in custom-built packs for specific cases and while that sometimes cuts costs, at other times it may drive up prices, he says. Looking at it on a case-by-case basis and deciding whether you need a custom case is helpful. "Keep reevaluating your supply chain processes and modifying the custom packs. Really make sure you are using everything that you buy," he says. 9. Reduce expedited shipping. Mr. Johnson notes that last-minute, emergency shipments of supplies can result in great deal of wasted money and thereby erase cost saving efforts. "Look carefully and determine how much capital is [spent] on last minute emergency shipments. Most often it's because the need for supplies was not recognized due to poor inventory man- agement systems," he says. 10. Inspect invoices carefully. Take a deep dive into surgery center in- voices and verify the prices expected and agreed upon. Invoices should not be inflated with "invoice charges" and other costs tacked on by the vendor that have nothing to do with product expenses, according to Mr. Johnson. "Hold every vendor accountable to explain invoice entries that add to the expense of purchasing the product," he adds. Embarking on cost saving initiatives can be intimidating, however, to ensure the financial health of a surgery center it is a necessary journey to take, and every small step counts. n A QUICK, GENTLE MINIMALLY INVASIVE DEFINITIVE* PROCEDURE FOR CHRONIC TENDON PAIN Precision made easy with Tenex Health TX ™ . 949.454.7500 • 855.2TENDON • TenexHealth.com • Simple, Innovative Procedure • Quick Turnaround Time • Established Reimbursement for Most Procedures TENEX HEALTH TX ™ *Individual results may vary. MKT 169 Rev A "A physician's willingness to listen to, trial and calmly consider change can make or break the ASC's desire to find products and services that save money." – Jerry Johnson, Vice President of National Accounts, Ambulatory Surgery Center Division at Medline