Q: What is the one key piece of advice you would impart to other ASC facilities about their involvement with GPOs?
Glenda Beasley: It’s very difficult to work with multiple GPOs. I have only one GPO, and it’s still a constant battle making sure contracts with vendors are up-to-date, monitoring pricing and doing inventory control, so it might be best to work with just one.
Q: In the 10 years you’ve worked with MedAssets to provide your facility with the supplies and materials it needs, what has been the biggest challenge?
GB: The ASC is responsible for maintaining the contracts with vendors through a GPO, so it’s important you have a good relationship with that organization. If you’re not [closely monitoring] contracts, you’re not getting the best pricing.
Let’s say I have a contract with a vendor working through the GPO, and I have a contract for a product that will last for two years. In two years and one day, the pricing is going to change and I have probably hundreds of vendors coming through my door.
It’s a big job to watch what you’re doing, and you have to have a good relationship with your GPO so they can help you through those processes and keeping in touch with [vendor] representatives.
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