"I was asked to find an inventory system that would let us consider each department and the unique way our clinic operates, then allow for customization to fit each area’s demand for supplies.” - Heather Braswell, HT, CMA, Clinical and Anesthetics Manager
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (PRWEB) November 21, 2019
Inventory Optimization Solutions (IOS) is pleased to announce Valley Dermatology Associates has received the Q3 2019 Best Practice Award. Valley Derm has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in expense tracking by service line, improving P & L management and reporting, increasing employee accountability in supply chain performance, and streamlining processes related to ordering, receiving, replenishing and right-sizing inventory. IOS continually identifies and shares best practices from customers to help educate the healthcare community on supply chain automation. Each quarter, IOS recognizes an organization demonstrating supply chain excellence.
About the Organization
Valley Dermatology Associates is an expanding dermatology group offering state of the art care to a growing patient population in Yakima, Washington. Valley Derm provides care from initial diagnosis to the recommendation of effective treatments, working with patients to provide a personalized path to wellness. Since opening in 2001, the group has continued to expand, adding staff and delivering even more complete and comprehensive dermatologic care. With expert healthcare providers providing an extensive variety of services, the team provides patients with the highest level of care and detection available.
Heather Braswell, HT, CMA, Clinical and Anesthetics Manager at Valley Derm noted the challenges of the practice’s rapid growth. “While we experienced a surge in clinic growth and demand, we recognized the methods we used to keep track of our expenses weren’t as efficient as they could be. Our inventory costs were consistently high, we weren’t ordering or restocking appropriately, and supplies weren’t being rotated, so often they would expire, resulting in needless waste. This was especially impactful on our retail and cosmetic service lines. I was asked to find an inventory system that would let us consider each department and the unique way our clinic operates, then allow for customization to fit each area’s demand for supplies.”
Customized for Organization Needs
The Envi® solution from IOS offers a high degree of customization for every type of provider organization. For Valley Derm, customizing their Envi instance enabled the facility’s team to create three unique departments – surgical, clinical dermatology and cosmetics – and within the departments, individual service lines. They identified products used across all departments, which are managed and maintained by a single individual who purchases supplies and manages inventory for the overall organization.
Next, the team identified supplies used uniquely within specific departments, and designated a staff member in each area to order and manage those supplies. Braswell noted, “Specific products used within a department are assigned to that department or service line, and ordered by a team member responsible for purchasing and managing inventory for that department.”
Implementing Best Practice-based Processes
The organization has seen significant results in areas including:
1) Allocation of expenses by department
2) Reset of par levels, creating a more demand-driven approach
3) Reductions in on-hand inventory
4) Increased employee buy-in and accountability
5) Designated employees from each department to manage stock
6) Improved tracking and visibility to consumption
7) Application of usage templates to make specialty items easy to reorder
Best Practice Based Community of Healthcare Organizations
IOS works with more than 5,000 healthcare facilities throughout the United States. As a result of this large footprint and broad range of users, IOS is able to identify, document and share best practices that are designed to help healthcare organizations improve their supply chain processes and overall results.
“Valley Derm has been impressive in both its rapid growth and adoption of the Envi solution,” said Steve Britt, President, IOS. “Their team did a great job of setting specific goals to address the needs of their organization, then working with the IOS team to leverage Envi to achieve those goals. They’re committed to turning their supply chain model into an advantage for their growing business, and we’re excited to see the results they are achieving.”
About Inventory Optimization Solutions (IOS)
Inventory Optimization Solutions (IOS) provides healthcare organizations with powerful, cost-effective, uniquely modular, and easy-to-use web-based supply chain solutions that offer the flexibility to support facilities throughout the continuum of care. IOS operates with a commitment to delivering world-class customer service, guiding customers to a better supply chain, providing high-touch support, industry best-practices, deep healthcare expertise and continuously evolving solutions that help them succeed. The goal of IOS is to ensure customers have more time each day for their most important role: caring for patients. For more information, visit http://www.ioscorp.com.