Idea Exchanges are designed to go in-depth on challenges impacting the healthcare supply chain. These sessions are designed around peer learning and actively encourage participation from each attendee. Moderators are available to guide discussion but the real learning comes from the ideas generated from attendees. 
 
The Fall IDN Summit Idea Exchanges are below.
 
Wednesday, September 21
 
9:00 am - 10:15 am         Idea Exchange:  Achieving Success Through Value Analysis
                                               Casa Grande
 
                                               Moderator:  Dee Whittington, CEO, DKW Consulting
 
The value analysis functions of healthcare systems are driving many of the new initiatives borne of the ACA.  Historically, its focus has been on cost savings and more healthcare leaders are beginning to realize that clinical evidence is a critical component of the supply chain decision making equation. In this session, discuss the trends and best practices experienced at IDNs across the country in value analysis. Learn how organizations have used evidence-based outcomes to facilitate conversations with clinicians.
 
Learning Objectives:
  1. Demonstrate value to clinicians and develop stronger collaborative partnerships and a deeper understanding of value analysis.
  2. List the ways your current process can use evidence-based outcomes.
  3. Define the best practices in value analysis that can most impact your organization.
 
9:00 am -- 10:15 am      Idea Exchange:  How to Quantify Soft Savings
                                              Mesa
 
                                              Moderator:  Molly Smith,  Event Coordinator, Bluegrass Business Media
 
Soft savings by their very nature are difficult to quantify.  Savings realized from such things as improved efficiencies, better safety measures, increased patient satisfaction, cultural change and streamlined procedures, to name a few, are intangible but no less important.  This group discussion will explore the challenges inherent in measuring soft savings and how participants have overcome those challenges.  Focus will also be placed on how to determine which ROI models work best when attempting to calculate soft savings.
 
Learning Objectives:
        1. Compare the inherent differences between hard and soft savings.
        2. Formulate reliable methods for measuring soft savings.
        3. Evaluate ROI models and how to identify which work best for various categories of soft savings.
 
10:15 am -- 10:30 am     Break
 
10:30 am -- 11:45 am     Idea Exchange:  Working Better to Save Money – Improving Communications to Reduce TCO
                                                Casa Grande
 
                                                 Moderator:  Dee Whittington, CEO, DKW Consulting
 
Focusing on total cost of ownership (TCO), instead of simply choosing the lowest price on the front end, maximizes resources, demonstrates foresight and makes financial sense; however, accurately identifying TCO requires the cooperation of both the buyer and the seller.  Discuss the benefits of strategic sourcing and the current shift from looking only at the purchase price to understanding the total lifetime cost of owning or consuming a product or service.  Attendees will share their experiences and ways that providers and suppliers can work together to reduce TCO through better communication.  When provider and supplier operations teams communicate effectively, everyone benefits.  Additional emphasis will be given to ways to persuade stakeholders that TCO represents a better estimate of value, even if the initial cost sometimes is higher.
 
Learning Objectives:
  1. Describe the many factors involved in determining TCO.
  2. Outline potential methods for collaboration between provider and supplier operations teams.
  3. Formulate strategies for reducing TCO through improved provider and supplier communications.
 
10:30 am -- 11:45 am     Idea Exchange:  Spotlight on Supplier Diversity
                                                Mesa
 
                                                 Moderator:  Molly Smith, Event Coordinator, Bluegrass Business Media
 
Whether your Supplier Diversity Program is in its infancy or is well established, join the conversation in this informative Idea Exchange.  Share ideas with your peers on the best ways to implement, maintain and improve supplier diversity strategy.  Learn what has worked for others and share your experiences for a meaningful exchange of best practices, lessons learned and new ideas for the future.  Attention will also be given to methods for measuring the success of Supplier Diversity Programs.
 
Learning Objectives:
  1. Define Supplier Diversity in the healthcare arena.
  2. Analyze methods for increasing Supplier Diversity in your organization.
  3. Describe strategies for aligning Supplier Diversity with your organization’s strategy.