As the seasons change and we transition into autumn, long-term care (LTC) facilities are gearing up to ensure that they continue providing exceptional care to their patients. This change in seasons necessitates a thorough review and update of existing routines, particularly in terms of equipment procurement, wound care products and personal protection equipment (PPE), and the crucial need to ensure the safety of patients through the careful inspection of handling equipment. To streamline this process and enhance operational efficiency, igility offers group purchasing for LTC with the best equipment in the market. Let’s delve into the importance of these strategies and how they contribute to better patient care this fall.
Fall brings its own set of health concerns, ranging from flu or COVID outbreaks to an increase in injuries due to weather-related incidents. LTC facilities need to anticipate and prepare for these seasonal shifts in healthcare demands. Preparing for a potential surge in patients requires a proactive approach in ensuring that healthcare facilities are well-stocked and equipped to handle the specific needs that come with autumn.
Enhancing Efficiency and Saving Costs
In recent years, igility/HANS and DHW collaborated to enhance wound care management in the provincial continuing care sector, covering licensed long-term care providers and DHW-funded home care providers offering nursing services. They established a successful group purchasing program for wound care products, positively received by DSLTC. Furthermore, igility/HANS has managed PPE tracking and ordering with the NSHA warehouse. With the NSHA PPE Warehouse closing in June 2023, igility/HANS proposed to DSLTC to continue overseeing PPE orders utilizing the existing wound care group purchasing program.
This streamlined approach is anticipated to result in significant cost savings through access to lower-priced products via their relationship with HealthPro. The benefits of this group purchasing initiative include reduced administrative workload, consistent product quantities, volume pricing, continuity of supply, and leveraging existing suppliers through HealthPro—maintaining IPAC approval. In addition to cost savings, group purchasing also provides facilities with standardization and quality assurance. Standardization not only simplifies inventory management but also streamlines training processes for healthcare professionals.
The Importance of Inspection
While stocking up on wound care supplies and PPE is a crucial part of being prepared for the new season, it’s also a good time to check in on your existing equipment and inventory. This process can be overwhelming and often overlooked, which is why a new season is the perfect time to initiate an overall inspection. Is anything expired? Does your equipment work? Are you running low on hand sanitizer? As stated in our blog on safe patient handling, regular sling and equipment inspections are vital for LTC facilities, especially where a malfunction could be dangerous for the resident or healthcare worker.
Inspecting your equipment not only helps to ensure it meets safety standards and prevents accidents, it also can help identify minor issues before they escalate into major problems, potentially expanding the lifespan of the equipment. This not only saves costs but also ensures continued functionality and reliability.
As healthcare facilities transition into the fall season, strategic approaches such as group purchasing and focused inspections of safe patient handling equipment are pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency and elevating patient care. By optimizing procurement processes and prioritizing patient safety through careful planning and preparation, healthcare facilities can navigate the seasonal changes with confidence, providing the best possible care to their patients.
Getting prepped for fall and have questions about the group purchasing process? Contact us at group.purchasing@igility.ca.