The pandemic revealed to hospitals across the country the impact of relying on foreign manufacturers to supply the vast majority of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE). For HealthTrust, it presented an opportunity to explore U.S. diversification of some of those supplies.
As we explain in “Securing the Supply Chain Closer to Home,” finding a partner for domestic mask production is one critical step among others toward creating a more secure supply chain for our membership. Up and running just a year from the time that Rosalind Holloway, Vice President of Global Sourcing, initiated the idea, HealthTrust is supporting a joint-venture between HCA Healthcare and a company that will manufacture level 1 and level 3 masks in the United States. We will also continue to support the evaluation of other opportunities to diversify the portfolio of products manufactured in the U.S.
2020 survey results
HealthTrust identifies opportunities for improvement and benchmarks member satisfaction annually. The most recent Member Satisfaction Survey was conducted entirely by email in the third quarter since a live HealthTrust University Conference did not take place in 2020.
Of the members responding to the 100-question survey, 83% believe that HealthTrust provides a superior value in the marketplace relative to other group purchasing organizations (GPOs)—up from 79% in 2019. Other high levels of satisfaction include the depth and breadth of our contract portfolio, the quality of products and services offered, customer service, account management, strategic sourcing, strong values, the leadership team and healthcare education offerings.
Along with a competitive market assessment, industry research and feedback from member business reviews, results from the survey are utilized as part of our planning process for each new year.
All survey findings and recommendations are reviewed in detail by each department, with action items developed to address opportunities for improvement. I am also pleased to share that in response to member feedback from previous years, we recently launched an updated commitment system to process LOCs (letters of commitment), and a new contract catalog system to replace CatScan is expected to launch in 2021.
Welcome new member
I’d like to welcome to membership the New Orleans-based healthcare system, LCMC Health, and its acute care facilities (Children’s Hospital New Orleans, New Orleans East Hospital, Touro Infirmary, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center and East
Jefferson General Hospital). In addition to LCMC accessing the GPO portfolio, we look forward to implementing value-added services benefiting ambulatory, ancillary and physician practices affiliated with LCMC Health.
The HealthTrust team and I look forward to serving all of the membership throughout the new year, and thank you for your commitment and trust in us. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2021!
Ed Jones
President/CEO, HealthTrust
Publisher, The Source magazine
