1. Sarah Martin, RN, Meridian Surgical Partners Brentwood, Tenn.:
Conduct planned reviews of all contract services to include laundry
and linen, as well as preventive maintenance contracts. It’s important
to always review these items and seek competitive pricing to ensure
your vendors are working with your center as a member of the team.
2. Craig J. Bakken, CMPE, CEO; Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates, Rocky Mountain Endoscopy Centers, Lakewood, Colo.:
As the manager of three ‘mature’ ASCs performing outpatient endoscopy
exclusively, I find internal and external benchmarking to be the most
effective tool for identifying opportunities to match cost with
volumes. Secondly, you have to go back to vendors and renegotiate for
both services and supplies on a regular basis especially if you are
bringing them significant volume.
3. Brian Brown, Meridian Surgical Partners, Brentwood, Tenn.:
Empower employees to own savings efforts. Since your employees are in
the trenches every day and can impact costs on a day-to-day basis,
empower them to save your business money. Then, reward them greatly for
success. The outlay of cash you have to spend to empower your employees
will pale in comparison to the cost savings you receive.
