At TPC, our focus remains the same regardless of economic climate or market dynamics – we know that we’re stronger together, and our No. 1 priority is providing Members with a unified community that boosts every aspect of their operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic is no different.
TPC remains committed to guiding Members through this uncertain time, and we are working diligently to provide comprehensive support through collective intelligence, innovative practices and engaging in creative sourcing and solution development by leveraging our different areas of expertise.
A Comprehensive Supply and Demand Strategy
As we all continue to progress toward a positive global outcome in the face of the novel coronavirus, hospitals across the nation have met significant challenges in acquiring the supplies and products needed to treat patients. To support Members in their efforts to fight back against COVID-19, TPC has implemented a targeted, three-pronged approach focused on getting supplies in the hands of the providers that need them.
1. Working to get Members their traditional, high-demand supplies via Member-direct access, TPC aggregated purchasing, and Vizient opportunities (national-level purchasing and spot buys).
2. Searching for clinical alternatives and working to find out-of-the-box products, processes and procedures that can be utilized when normal products aren’t available.
3. Helping to connect Members to government resources at the federal and state level to support Members’ overall response.
Anticipating Product Needs
TPC is relying heavily on data and analytics to more accurately anticipate Members’ product needs based on their individual COVID-19 impact.
By developing tools to track COVID-19 cases in Members’ counties, we are better able to forecast how an individual Member hospital might be affected, giving us the opportunity to proactively address potential needs. In addition, we are continually surveying Members regarding their supply needs to ensure accuracy in assessing top priorities on a weekly basis.
With an industry in short supply of critical products, non-traditional suppliers have flooded the marketplace – but not all suppliers are created equal.
On behalf of our Members, TPC has created a dedicated team that is involved in researching and vetting each individual supplier. We identify to most lucrative suppliers and match them with Member need in the most productive and efficient manner possible.
Addressing PPE Shortage
Helping Members meet critical personal protective equipment, or PPE, needs is perhaps the most important aspect of TPC’s COVID-19 response, and we’re making key progress on this front.
TPC has worked with Members on evaluating and sourcing a number of important PPE items, including N95 respirators, isolation masks and gowns, surgical masks, sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, ventilators and much more.
And we’ve already seen success. TPC was able to effectively access a unique opportunity with an alternative source for a supply of reusable cloth masks. To date, we have gotten 30,000 masks into the hands of Members, who report satisfaction with the product quality and have been using the masks to protect both patients and hospital visitors. Together, we were able to successfully fulfill a critical need with an agile solution.
Member-to-Member Sharing
Not only are we focused on acquiring supplies, but TPC is also hosting interactive and collaborative virtual forums for the following Member committees to communicate regarding common concerns, problem solving and best practices.
· Supply Chain Council
· Executive Steering Committee
· Clinical Steering Committee
· Lab Clinical Value Analysis Team
· Human Resources Committee
· Pharmacy Clinical Value Analysis Team
· Support Services Council
· Revenue Cycle Council
· Food service Task Force
These opportunities for Members to meet with each other not only help confirm Member concerns and needs but provide a peer group support system that helps maintain positive outlooks and proactive response.
The ripple effect from the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be felt throughout the duration of 2020 and potentially beyond. While organizations across the country are prepping for a return to business as usual – or at least a new normal – TPC understands the unique needs of our Member hospitals and will continue to work in tandem with Members to address supply, operations and clinical concerns.
To learn more about TPC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and successes our Members have had, contact us today.