While similar surgical supply optimization projects exist, Allina Health’s innovation stands out in its strategic implementation that results in extracting significant value from both clinical practice and supply chain. To accomplish this, Allina Health created a data-focused “Procedural Specialist” role to leverage electronic health record and preference card-based utilization data. (Preference cards are instructions that detail the equipment, supplies and room setup that a surgeon uses for a specific procedure.) Secondly, Allina Health implemented a data analytics and clinician engagement digital platform, DOCSI. This created actionable cost and supply utilization transparency for surgeons at scale and allowed supply chain to find ways to optimize inventory and lower costs.
“We are honored to be recognized for a national award of this caliber, and it is a testament to our hardworking team members who are dedicated to finding ways to decrease waste and increase efficiency,” said Tom Lubotsky, vice president, Allina Health Supply Chain.
There is a wide range of provider variation for items requested during a surgery. The dashboard allows the physicians to pick the items they’ll need in the operating room while showing alternatives and the cost savings they could provide. The result is a user-friendly experience that empowers surgeons to quickly make comparison decisions.
“DOCSI’s novel platform has delivered tremendous value by providing relevant cost and utilization recommendations to our physicians in an intuitive format at scale, allowing them to make financially responsible decisions that lower expenses and reduce clinical variation,” said Lubotsky.
Allina Health is also proud to be recently ranked 8th in Gartner’s Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 for 2023.