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As we kick off 2012, HSCA would like to reflect and share with you our top 10 reasons why we are thankful for 2011 and what we look forward to in the New Year!
10. Federal Courts Affirm GPO Value and Competitiveness (8th Circuit Case) The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals (Southeast Missouri Hospital v. Bard Inc.), found— for the second time— that GPOs benefit the healthcare delivery system. The court, which agreed to rehear the case after originally reaching the same conclusions in an August 2010 decision, joins the Supreme Court, GAO, DOJ, FTC and academia in providing a vote of confidence to the GPO model and its value to the healthcare supply chain.
9. Successful HSCA Events
International Expo The 2011 HSCA International Expo (co-hosted by HISCI) was held October 12th – 14th in Washington, DC. The Expo featured nine hours of dedicated networking time, including the GPO Executive Lunch and Breakfast, Chairmen’s Welcome Reception, and the one-of-a-kind Expo Reverse Tradeshows. We’re thrilled that so many supply chain representatives from coast to coast were able to join us this year, and are looking forward to this year’s Expo in Orlando, FL, October 22nd-October, 24th, 2012.
National Pharmacy Forum The HSCA National Pharmacy Forum (also co-hosted by HISCI) was held February 7th – 9th in Phoenix, Arizona and was one of our best conferences yet! Representatives from the GPO industry and supplier community came out to attend strong networking and educational sessions. Be sure to sign up for the 2012 event in Tampa, Florida, February 8th-10th!
8. HSCA Committee for Healthcare eStandards (CHeS) The GPO members of the Committee for Healthcare e-Standards (CHeS), a committee of HSCA, launched the “It Just Takes One” campaign in July to help hospitals validate their locations in the GLN Registry – an important step towards transacting within the GS1 standards regime. HSCA is also working with GS1 to put on GLN workshops, there will be one in February in Tampa prior to the Pharmacy Forum. The goal of these efforts is the adoption of GLN and GTIN standards; the University of Arkansas Center for Innovation in Healthcare Logistics recently released the results of a survey conducted to examine the progress of the supply chain implementing these standards; the results are promising and reflective of this committee’s hard work. Click here to read more.
7. Increased Media and Social Media Presence HSCA’s new website is part of a larger media presence, including a blog, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles. All of these are accessible from the HSCA homepage at our new location, http://www.supplychainassociation.org/.
6. Engaged in Practice Green Health At the 2011 International Expo, HSCA announced that it has endorsed the Practice Greenhealth “Standardized Environmental Questions for Medical Products,” which can be used to guide the identification, selection and procurement of environmentally preferable medical products.
5. Extensive Outreach to Financial Industry Leaders HSCA and members met with Wall Street representatives in both New York and Boston in 2011 to discuss the role that GPOs play in the supply chain, and what it means for financial institutions.
4. Increased Industry Relationships One way to combat the negative misperceptions being spread about GPOs is to have credible healthcare associations and organizations support our industry. HSCA worked tirelessly in 2011 to build and maintain positive relationships with relevant industry players, such as: the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA), the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, and many more.
3. Active on Drug Shortage Issues HSCA participated in meetings with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Administrator of the Food & Drug Administration and several committees on Capitol Hill as well as with our industry partners. We are currently working to develop a paper discussing the role of GPOs in the drug shortage issue. Recently, HSCA submitted letters to Senators Baucus, Hatch, Enzi, and Harkin, explaining the role that GPOs play in the drug shortage and clarifying some misconceptions that were stated at a recent hearing.
2. Our New Name and Identity The new name and brand—Healthcare Supply Chain Association— better reflects the expertise, experience and position of both the GPO industry and its trade association within the healthcare supply chain. The new tagline (Innovators in Evidence-Based Sourcing) demonstrates the industry’s commitment to innovation and the association’s work as advocates on behalf of the GPO industry, GPO members and clients, and the patients they serve. It also reflects the many changes that the group purchasing industry has experienced in recent years. It especially includes the increasingly important and expanding role of GPOs in all stages of the supply chain and at each stage of the continuum of care.
In summary, the change from HIGPA to HSCA is designed to better align the organization's name with its mission to provide advocacy and education to those involved in the healthcare supply chain, in 2012 and beyond. Click here to watch the video announcing the new name.
1. Building on our Success in 2012 From everyone at the Healthcare Supply Chain Association, we hope you had a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in the new year!
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