For the third year in a row, 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. Additionally, Harris Health received the “Excellence in eProcurement” award for 2016.
In healthcare, supply chain management involves all activities tied to supplies and equipment needed to take care of patients. It focuses on planning, forecasting, purchasing, product assembly, moving, storage and distribution. Harris Health partners with GHX to achieve efficiencies and deliver the best possible care to patients.
“These awards are demonstration of employees upholding Harris Health’s longstanding commitment to quality healthcare, efficient processes and cost-effective solutions,” says Jacob Titus, operations manager, Supply Chain Management, Harris Health. “They are the result of the department’s diligence in automating procurement processes via the latest available technologies and implementing high-quality solutions.”
The departments Information Technology and the Harris County Purchasing Department were commended for their contributions to Supply Chain Management’s success. Harris Health received its recognition during the recent 2016 GHX Healthcare Supply Chain Summit hosted in Washington, D.C.
According to GHX, each top organization, saved millions in 2016 by automating purchase orders, invoices, taking control of contract spending and increasing electronic vendor connections. Harris Health ranked 36th, up six places from last year, among the more than 4,000 healthcare systems and hospitals rated.
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.
Other notable healthcare institutions listed among the 50 includes Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas.