UA center works to cut health care costs
Health
April R. Ford
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: News
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A new UA center has taken on the challenge of cutting costs of health care by improving information and logistics systems. The Center for Innovation in Healthcare Logistics is working with strategic partners Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield to overcome roadblocks in the way medical supplies are administered to health care providers and patients.
Health care makes up the largest industry in the U.S., but medical advancements are often paired with inconsistent quality, safety and efficiency, said Ron Rardin, director for the center.
"Everywhere you turn in health care, problems need attention," Rardin said. "We are focusing on getting materials to people when they need them."
Studies of nurses and doctors show they spend about half their time searching for supplies or medication, Rardin said. It's an issue that takes away from time with patients and can add to morale problems, he said.
"We can take the confusion out of the system with better tracking," Rardin said.
Shortfalls in delivery of materials and an underinvestment in technology have contributed to $11 million lost in annual savings for the health care industry, according to a July 3 report by the center.
"Everybody has room to improve," Rardin said. "There are huge dollar implications."
Keeping continuous inventory of expensive and perishable materials is one major area of cost for health care centers, Rardin said.
Another expense is the surgical packs used in the operating room. The packs are intended to give doctors and nurses all the supplies they need for surgery, but the unused items might get thrown away instead of reused, Rardin said. A system could be developed to put the unused materials back, Rardin said.
"Another option is to reorganize the packs," Rardin added. "Instead of one pack, have three."
Innovations such as broader use of bar-coding and radio frequency identification can be used by the center to develop systems of delivery for the health care industry, according to the July 3 statement.
Health care makes up the largest industry in the U.S., but medical advancements are often paired with inconsistent quality, safety and efficiency, said Ron Rardin, director for the center.
"Everywhere you turn in health care, problems need attention," Rardin said. "We are focusing on getting materials to people when they need them."
Studies of nurses and doctors show they spend about half their time searching for supplies or medication, Rardin said. It's an issue that takes away from time with patients and can add to morale problems, he said.
"We can take the confusion out of the system with better tracking," Rardin said.
Shortfalls in delivery of materials and an underinvestment in technology have contributed to $11 million lost in annual savings for the health care industry, according to a July 3 report by the center.
"Everybody has room to improve," Rardin said. "There are huge dollar implications."
Keeping continuous inventory of expensive and perishable materials is one major area of cost for health care centers, Rardin said.
Another expense is the surgical packs used in the operating room. The packs are intended to give doctors and nurses all the supplies they need for surgery, but the unused items might get thrown away instead of reused, Rardin said. A system could be developed to put the unused materials back, Rardin said.
"Another option is to reorganize the packs," Rardin added. "Instead of one pack, have three."
Innovations such as broader use of bar-coding and radio frequency identification can be used by the center to develop systems of delivery for the health care industry, according to the July 3 statement.
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