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D. Engaging Physicians and
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A plan to fully realize targeted savings opportunities will require multiple strategies new and more aggressive approaches to contracting, improved contract compliance, establishment of supply formularies and formulary compliance programs, etc. All initiatives whether pricing, changes to commodity/low-risk products, or physician preference items need to be prioritized based on timeframe to actualize savings. Even what may appear to be “quick hit” pricing initiatives may require time to actualize. And, some pricing issues (e.g. pharmacy) may actually require changes to physician prescribing practices. Aligning degree of change difficulty and timeframe to realize savings need to be carefully planned and monitored.
Strategies to Concurrently Address Pricing and Utilization
While the “value analysis” and subsequent product standardization of commodity items is now a common practice (though still difficult to implement and sustain) in healthcare facilities across the country, the challenge remains to successfully direct efforts towards physician preference items. SCA's approach is a collaborative process that differs from traditional product standardization approaches where physician participation and “buy-in” is sought after a standardization initiative has been identified. SCA’s collaborative Strategic Cost Management approach turns the process upside down and begins with the physician. It works with interdisciplinary teams to first establish utilization criteria and physician accepted formularies, and then uses this as a basis to drive standardization and ultimately the best price. Concurrent efforts to fast-track commodity/low-risk product changes to realize savings through price, standardization and utilization efforts provides the Client with a balanced approach that yields both short and long-term savings impact.
Strategies to Concurrently Address Pricing and Utilization
While the “value analysis” and subsequent product standardization of commodity items is now a common practice (though still difficult to implement and sustain) in healthcare facilities across the country, the challenge remains to successfully direct efforts towards physician preference items. SCA's approach is a collaborative process that differs from traditional product standardization approaches where physician participation and “buy-in” is sought after a standardization initiative has been identified. SCA’s collaborative Strategic Cost Management approach turns the process upside down and begins with the physician. It works with interdisciplinary teams to first establish utilization criteria and physician accepted formularies, and then uses this as a basis to drive standardization and ultimately the best price. Concurrent efforts to fast-track commodity/low-risk product changes to realize savings through price, standardization and utilization efforts provides the Client with a balanced approach that yields both short and long-term savings impact.
