HealthTrust embraces a broader value proposition in offering solutions to the market
The theme of HealthTrust’s recent conference – “In Rhythm with Change” – signified not just the fact that the conference was held in Nashville, Tenn., the self-proclaimed “Music City,” but that HealthTrust’s role is to embrace change, sponsor collaboration, inspire innovation and share best practices, according to the event’s organizers.
The conference attracted 2,300 members and 1,500 vendors representing nearly 300 exhibitors. Forty-four education and information sessions targeted supply chain leadership, healthcare executives, pharmacists and clinicians. Continuing education was offered in a variety of disciplines.
Not just a GPO
HealthTrust recently dropped “Purchasing Group” from its brand to reflect that it is much more than a leveraged contract purchasing portfolio, according to Chief Operating Officer Michael Berryhill. “As a supply chain management company, HealthTrust is broadening its value proposition to provide solutions for total cost management, including strengthening our offering with integrated supply chain solutions, accelerating the development of our analytics tools, and investing to meet market demand for purchased services solutions,” he said.
Another of HealthTrust’s key areas of focus will be the expansion of its AdvantageTrust platform, he continued. “This will be critical in an era of population health, as more care will be delivered in outpatient settings. Solutions will have to be integrated across the entire care continuum.”
New delivery care models
Speaking about the implications of healthcare reform, HealthTrust CEO Ed Jones predicted that reimbursement will decline over time, as providers migrate to new delivery care models. Citing the annual American College of Healthcare Executives survey, Jones pointed out that financial challenges again ranked No. 1 on the list of hospital CEOs’ top concerns in 2011, making it their No. 1 concern for the last eight years.
In response, said Jones, providers must focus on improved patient outcomes, justify medical innovation, connect all elements of the care continuum, shift focus to the wellness of the populations they serve, and rationalize their assets – locations, people and capital.
“Supply chain leaders find themselves at the intersection of cost, quality and outcomes to effectively bridge the gap between financial stewardship and patient care,” continued Jones. “Therefore, HealthTrust’s number one goal in the coming months is to help providers and their supply chain leaders find ways to reduce costs throughout the supply chain.
“The C-suite will be looking to supply chain leaders to help redefine the cost equation by creating a better patient outcome at a lower total cost. Supplies and care delivery must be better matched to disease states and care paths, addressing the total cost of supplies across the care continuum. HealthTrust is positioned to help supply chain facilitate the discussion between physicians, the C-Suite and suppliers, to migrate from a volume-based to a value-based model.”
Sidebar:
HealthTrust program highlights
David Nash, MD, MBA, a board-certified internist and a leading authority on population health, outcomes management, medical staff development and quality-of-care improvement, delivered the general session keynote. Nash was named the founding dean of the Jefferson School of Population Health of Thomas Jefferson University in 2008.
The conference featured panel discussions on:
- “Value-based care: The intersection of quality, cost and accountability,” featuring Dale Bratzler, DO, MPH; and Helga Brake, PharmD, CPHQ. Cheri A. Lattimer, RN, BSN, executive director of the National Transitions of Care Coalition, served as moderator.
- “Bridging the gap between patient care and financial stewardship,” featuring eight members of HealthTrust’s Physician Advisory Committee.
Featured speakers included thought leaders on:
- Value-based purchasing.
- Keys to provider success amid the realities of healthcare reform.
- High impact influence and negotiation for change.
- Impact of integrating supply chain and revenue cycle master data.
- Leveraging spend analytics to combat rising supply costs.
- Medical device industry clinical and financial impacts because of healthcare reform.
- ICD-10 readiness.
Member facility presenters partnering with HealthTrust subject matter experts shared best practices and lessons learned in implementing HealthTrust solutions and initiatives in the areas of utilizing spend analytics, optimizing energy contracting, medical devices, OR efficiencies and effective workforce management through productivity and benchmarking. SourceTrust medical device subject matter experts offered insights on technology and innovations in the areas of osteobiologics, orthopedics and interventional cardiology, as well as strategies for effectively engaging and collaborating with physicians in hospital medical device initiatives.
Leadership and professional development experts included Roz Usheroff, Susan Williams, PhD, Laura Hollis, Dale Smith Thomas, and Tina Thomas, PhD.
Closing keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart told her story of survival and shared insights on overcoming adversity. Smart was 14 years old in 2002 when she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City, Utah, home and held against her will for nine months.
Sidebar:
HealthTrust member award winners
Outstanding Member Award
Dennis Smith, director of facilities management, Catholic Health Initiatives.
Outstanding Member Award
Joyce Hagen-Flint, division director of food & nutrition services, HCA’s West Florida Division, Tampa, Fla.
Operational Excellence Award
Supply chain services team at Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon, Fla. Team members include Michelle Clark, supply chain director, and Paula Griffis, OR materials manager.
Operational Excellence Award
Supply chain team from Franciscan St. James Health. Team members include Annette Corradetti, director of materials management; Rick Daniel, administrative director of support services; Eric Bober, distribution manager in Chicago Heights, Ill.; and Joseph Mroz, distribution manager in Olympia Fields, Ill.
Clinical Excellence Award
Infection prevention team from HCA Clinical Services Group. Team members include Julia Moody, clinical director for infection prevention; Jason Hickok, assistant vice president, critical care, infection prevention and laboratory; Dr. Edward Septimus, medical director, infection prevention and epidemiology; and Dr. Jonathan Perlin, president, Clinical & Physician Services Group and chief medical officer.
Social Stewardship Award
Diversity value team from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Team members include Esther Malazita, administrative director of supply chain; Anna Kuchinski, director of purchasing & value analysis; and Margaret Grayeski, clinical resource manager.