Insights

With over 50 million U.S. adults experiencing chronic pain daily, the need for patient care hasn’t disappeared, but it may have grown more complicated due to the pandemic.read more

When hospital leaders are presented withperformance improvement opportunities uncovered through Vizient's clinical benchmarking data, it’s not uncommon for them to first look for reasons for below-average performancerather than consider what changes could be implemented to improve.This happened recently after presenting a length-of-stay (LOS) opportunity to leaders of a large hospital.read more

One of the most common ways a hospitalized patient can be injured is by falling and, those that sustain an injury from a fall have a higher risk of complications that negatively impact their outcome.read more

Buying capital equipment for ASCs can be expensive and time-consuming and poses unique challenges from the acute care setting. In this blog post, I’ll outline some of the challenges materials manager, purchasing managers and facility directors face and share how careful planning, research and negotiation can help.read more

The COVID pandemic has produced many new challenges for hospital-based laboratories. One area that laboratory leaders may find immediate cost reduction opportunities is through a review of utilization and pricing for reference laboratory services.read more

My key advice to anyone who is currently in a supply chain role or who wants to begin a supply chain career is to pursue certifications. Earning a supply chain certification (or certifications) demonstrates your expertise in the supply chain industry and can help you to advance in your career. Not sure where to begin? Here's some tips.read more

Health systems and providers continue to face ongoing challenges associated with delivering high-quality, cost-effective care while balancing decreasing reimbursements and new value-based payment models. COVID-19 has heightened the need for organizations to be adaptable, flexible and reliable. Learn why a comprehensive enterprise-wide data-driven strategy is essential to adapting and thriving in this new environment.read more

Managing, let alone changing, your organization’s block schedule might feel as intimidating as the thought of diving with sharks. But don’t let it scare you; the benefits far exceed the risks. It’s time to dive in!read more

A growing number of hospitals and health systems are taking the critical step of engaging physicians in evaluating preference items to a new level by establishing a medical director of supply chain. This newly created role is leading to more purposeful and collaborative relationships between physicians and supply chain, strengthening value-based care outcomes with a clearly shared vision with the patient at the center.read more

We have seen the significant effects of COVID-19 on our country’s most vulnerable populations, amplifying existing health disparities. We have also seen hospitals and health systems continue and expand their efforts to address social determinants of health. This work has taken on new meaning during the pandemic and will continue to become even more important. Not every organization is equipped to lead social determinants of health work, but every organization has an important role to play. And it starts with finding your fit.read more

The growing use of virtual technology during the COVID-19 pandemic is not just confined to advances in patient care via telemedicine. Companies also pivoted to virtual options to conduct business, including accrediting organizations such as the Joint Commission. During 2020, the accrediting organization suspended most of its onsite surveys from March through May in response to COVID but has since launched offsite surveys for many of its accreditation and certification programs. Survey success in a virtual environment relies heavily on providing access to information, so advance preparation and technology testing is important to ensure a smooth and successful survey. Here are several strategies to help ensure success for your hospital’s next offsite survey.read more

During COVID-19, you’ve lived the stories and heard of others—hospitals reprocessed supplies marked “single use only.” Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves were in extremely short supply. Some organizations are considering extreme measures to address the supply chain challenges that they experienced. Before you consider throwing in the towel on your distribution methodology that’s worked up until this point, here’s three common distribution methods and ideas about how to preserve supply availability during a disruption.read more