Implementation of a Cost and Variation Reduction Program for Hemostasis Products at a Large Academic Medical Center:...

Cost-saving initiatives targeting surgical supplies management have become increasingly common to address rising healthcare costs. However, few studies provide details on hospital stakeholder experiences or learnings from implementing such initiatives. Thus, we sought to evaluate hospital stakeholder satisfaction with conversion to a sole supplier for hemostasis products, in addition to economic and clinical impacts, to help develop best practices for implementation.

This cross-sectional study assessed satisfaction with converting to a sole supplier for hemostasis products at a large US academic medical center using qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, on the decision-making process, conversion, and vendor-supported hemostasis optimization program (HOP) post-implementation (February 2022-May 2022). Perioperative hemorrhage events, adjunctive hemostat utilization, and total annual hospital expenditure on hemostatic products were also evaluated pre- and post-conversion (2020-2022) to identify impacts on clinical and economic outcomes.

Ten hospital stakeholders completed qualitative interviews (n = 7 surgeons, n = 2 surgical technicians, n = 1 administrator) and 22 completed quantitative surveys (n = 6 surgeons, n = 5 surgical technicians, n = 11 nurses). Survey respondents noted overall satisfaction with conversion, including the level of input they provided in the decision-making process (75% were somewhat to extremely satisfied), availability of hemostatic agents during the conversion process (87%), and the vendor-supported HOP (100%). The outcomes analyses revealed a nearly 25% decrease in supply expenditure without changes to the number of postoperative hemorrhage events following implementation.

Converting to a sole vendor for hemostasis products was achieved with high satisfaction among hospital stakeholders and cost savings to the institution without impacting the quality of patient care. This study provides a roadmap of best practices for other institutions interested in implementing similar initiatives and presents an example of a successful transition to a sole vendor for hemostasis products driven by effective supplier, institution, and hospital stakeholder coordination.