Newswise — Harris Health System has been named among the “Best 50” healthcare providers in the U.S. and Canada for its industry-leading efforts in supply chain management by the Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX), a worldwide healthcare technology company.
In healthcare, supply chain management involves all activities tied to supplies and equipment needed to take care of patients. It focuses on planning and forecasting, purchasing, product assembly, moving, storage and distribution. Harris Health System partners with GHX to achieve efficiencies and deliver the best possible care to patients.
“This recognition is the result of a team effort from our physicians, clinicians and administrative staff in making sure the delivery of healthcare is optimally supported by timely and efficient access to needed supplies and equipment,” says Jessie L. Tucker III, executive vice president and administrator, Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
According to GHX, each top organization saved an average of $2.4 million in 2014 by working to automate purchase orders, invoices, taking control of contract spend and increasing their electronic vendor connections. Harris Health is ranked 41 among the top 50 of more than 4,000 healthcare systems and hospitals rated. A presentation of the honor will be done during the 2015 GHX Healthcare Supply Chain Summit in May.
GHX annually honors healthcare providers who excel at supply chain management. Nationally, healthcare spending accounts for 17.6 percent of the gross domestic product, and that is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 5.8 percent through 2020. Supply chain costs are the second largest and fastest growing operational expense for most hospitals, which also face declining reimbursements and uncertainties connected to healthcare reform. Studies show 30 percent of hospitals today are unprofitable.
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