Affordable Care Act may give hospital value analysis efforts a boost

The continued rollout of President Obama’s healthcare reform plan promises to give hospital value analysis efforts either a necessary shot in the arm or a swift kick in the butt, according to an article on the Healthcare Purchasing News website

At the center of a healthcare organization’s plans to clinically and financially justify the selection and use of products and services as well as the implementation of varied administrative and clinical procedures and processes sits the supply chain. With its reach into the supplier community, Supply chain serves as the consultants and facilitators for bottom line and expense management concerns in the C-suite and contract negotiation experts for clinicians who want to devote their time to patient care, the article said

The supply chain professional must straddle two realms. One focuses on the financial and operational concerns with little comprehension or understanding of clinical issues; the other focuses on clinical concerns with little comprehension or understanding — or even interest in — financial and operational concerns.

Serving both sides is an ongoing struggle. The best supply chain teams have increased their clinical expertise by recruiting nurses and doctors to the cause. Healthcare Purchasing News talked to a dozen value analysis professionals in the field for their perspectives on achieving clinically effective and cost-efficient results.

Read the article.