Capital Equipment Track                             
 
Capital expenditures that were once routine are now under more scrutiny from executive leadership and Boards of Directors.  Increased regulations and tighter budgets complicate the process as well.  In these sessions, attendees learned from healthcare system executives and other capital equipment experts about their strategies on effectively evaluating capital equipment purchase and negotiation strategies. These sessions were designed for healthcare executives with capital equipment purchasing responsibilities as well as sales and marketing executives from the healthcare capital equipment arena.
 
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm                       Capital Equipment Track: Successful Strategies and Solutions for IDNs
                                                                                                                
                                                            Moderator:  James T. Venker, AIA Senior Director, Facilities Construction and Environmental Services
 
                                                            Presenter:  Michael Rush, Director, Materials Resource Management, Carolinas Healthcare System
 
View the PowerPoint presentation here.
Listen to an audio recording of this session here.
 
Capital equipment needs are ever present in healthcare facilities of all sizes.  Technological advances can make the average lifespan of certain equipment shorter than it used to be and with capital equipment costs on the rise, IDNs must find new ways to stay on budget when purchasing big ticket items (and smaller ones as well).  Whether you are responsible for purchasing capital equipment or selling it, you face challenges in a market where budgets are tight and the demand for excellence is high.
 
One solution that some IDNs have implemented with success is that of Equipment Aggregated Purchasing Programs.  Using the strength of aggregated purchasing when buying and replacing clinical equipment for multiple hospital organizations can be a powerful tool.  Hear the pros and cons from one IDN that has used this method to create a “Clinical Equipment Review Program”, a capital budget category that is identified, quantified and aggregated over multiple hospitals.  In addition, learn ways that capital construction projects can be combined with other projects, including renewal and replacement equipment, in order to drive for deeper discounts in pricing. 
 
The new “pay for performance” reimbursement structures have certainly resulted in changes in the healthcare landscape.  Healthcare providers are consequently implementing new quality improvement programs in order to improve processes, increase patient satisfaction and lower cost, all with the end goal of better outcomes in mind.  Engaging suppliers in such programs is an important component in their success.  Learn strategies for involving suppliers as partners in this ongoing effort.  From implementing increased quality measures to adherence to process indicators, collaboration is critical in the success of fee at risk quality improvement programs.
 
Learning Objectives:
  1. Outline the benefits of aggregated purchasing programs.
  2. Identify successful strategies for discounts in capital equipment purchases.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the Clinical Equipment Review Program method.
  4. Evaluate methods for engaging suppliers in quality improvement programs.
 
2:30 pm – 3:45 pm                       Capital Equipment Track:  Getting Capital Results From Capital Equipment
                                                           
                                                            Moderator:  Lisa Ponssa, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Business Media
 
                                                            Presenters:  Jacob Johnson, Director, Clinical System Engineering/Clinical Technology, Kaiser Permanente
                                                                                    Calvin Sproul, Network Manager, Wireless Technologies, Johns Hopkins Enterprise
 
View the PowerPoint presentation here.
Listen to an audio recording of the session here
 
It is vitally important that hospitals purchase needed capital equipment in order to improve patient outcomes and provide the best possible care for their patients. Acquiring the proper equipment helps hospitals upgrade facilities, meet growing patient needs and maintain the highest clinical and information technology. For many hospitals however, purchasing the equipment that best meets their needs, for the best price, and for the best long-term value remains a serious challenge.  
 
Part one of this session will explore best practices when purchasing clinical wireless medical devices.  As the use of wireless medical devices has increased exponentially, it is imperative that standards are established that determine whether those devices can be supported and will conform to the hospital network.  With so much data being transmitted wirelessly, the majority of which is confidential, the hospital must be aware of the risks and liability issues that will be raised if medical devices are hacked or compromised.   Techniques for evaluation and comparison will be discussed, along with methods for increased security.
                                                           
As the old saying goes, ‘what isn’t measured doesn’t matter.’ This is certainly true when determining the effectiveness of capital equipment purchases. Measuring its impact on patient outcomes is a top priority.  Determining how the equipment performs relative to patient safety, energy efficiency, quality of results, and staff and patient satisfaction is key.  Learn methods for measuring performance of capital equipment and how to quantify the results in order to accurately determine return on investment.
 
Learning Objectives: 
  1. Examine the trends in healthcare systems capital equipment purchases.
  2. Discuss the challenges that health systems face when making capital equipment purchases.
  3. Formulate standards for the purchase of clinical wireless medical devices.
  4. Describe ways to validate the decision for equipment purchases by accurately measuring the impact of the investment.
 
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm                      Capital Equipment Track:  Medical Equipment Planning, Procurement and Logistics:  A Case Study
 
             Moderator:  John Sdanowich, Director of Capital Sourcing, Domestic & International, HealthCare Supply Chain Innovations
                                    The Johns Hopkins Health System
 
             Presenters:  Alan Bell, Regional Director, Planning, Design, and Construction, Ascension Health
                                     Daniel Kromis, Managing Partner, HSG
 
View the PowerPoint presentation here.
Listen to an audio recording of the session here
 
Slated to open in 2017, the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas will be one of the newest teaching hospitals in the country.  Equipped with the latest in technologically advanced medical equipment, and with innovative plans that allow for easy implementation of new equipment in the future, the Dell Seton Medical Center is attempting to seamlessly integrate the relationship of IT/IS & Medical Equipment Planning Procurement and Logistics. 
 
In this session hear from the Regional Director of the design and construction team about this latest marriage of technology and equipment in healthcare design.  Learn about the obstacles that were faced in the design, planning, and construction of this state-of-the-art facility.  The presenters will share what this new facility will be able to offer its patients and their observations on the best methods for equipment planning and procurement.
 
Learning Objectives:
  1. Analyze the key strategies necessary when purchasing new equipment.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the challenges faced when implementing new technology into design plans.
  3. Formulate methods for maximizing benefits and cost savings when planning new equipment purchases.
  4. Compare trends and market indicators that will impact technological advances in healthcare equipment.