Top Performers in UHC 2010 Supply Chain Performance Excellence Collaborative Recognized

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) recognized academic medical center (AMC) members for demonstrating excellence in supply chain management in the UHC Supply Chain Performance Excellence Collaborative. The Collaborative Advisory Team, composed of executives from AMC members and UHC, examined supply chain participants that provided data through UHC's Operational Data Base. The data categories evaluated were supply utilization overall, inpatient medications, cardiology, surgical services, and operating margin.

Awards were presented to representatives of the 4 top-performing organizations on Monday, March 8, at the UHC 2010 Performance Excellence Forum in Dallas, Tex, by Roberta G. Graham, UHC executive vice president, and Jacob J. Groenewold, UHC vice president, Supply Chain Services. This year's forum focused on achieving the highest standards of performance, even in challenging times, as highlighted in the meeting's theme, "Preparing for the New Normal: Thriving in a Changing Environment."

The collaborative identified 5 areas of practice in which the 4 top performers excel:

• Physician alignment and stewardship
• Evidence-based evaluations
• Innovative supply chain approaches
• Focus on distribution and utilization processes 
• Long-term commitment to continuous improvement 

"This study was established to provide UHC members with insights, information, and proven techniques for lowering costs and improving supply chain efficiency," said Groenewold. "The study also gives UHC the opportunity to share the lessons learned from the top performers and provide resources that will help all UHC members develop and implement strategies to improve their overall organizational performance."

The UHC Supply Chain Performance Excellence Collaborative began in 2007 to help UHC supply chain participants better understand and define supply chain performance and to provide them with actionable information for making measurable, sustainable performance improvements.

The University HealthSystem Consortium, based in Oak Brook, Ill, is an alliance of 107 academic medical centers and 232 of their affiliated hospitals, representing more than 90% of the nation's nonprofit AMCs. UHC provides data products and services to help members enhance clinical, operational, financial, and supply chain performance. Visit the About UHC section of www.uhc.edu for more information.

SOURCE University HealthSystem Consortium