TPC Talks

There isn’t an industry that’s been hit harder by the tidal wave left in the wake of the spread of COVID-19 than healthcare. In particular, the healthcare supply chain has been disrupted in unprecedented ways, forcing hospitals to search for alternative solutions for sourcing key personal protective equipment, or PPE, among other vital patient care products. On this episode of TPC Talks, TPC Senior Vice President of Sourcing and Operations Beau Moon joined host Tyler Kern to highlight how TPC is assisting its Member family during this uncertain period. “We are in these unreal times,” Moon said. “It’s unprecedented, really. The supply chain is front and center… It’s a situation where there is high demand for supply needs for our healthcare systems, and there’s just a lack of supply.” Moon said the shortage extends beyond PPE and the other top-of-mind protective equipment, adding that a shortage of pharmaceutical supplies, ventilators and more have created a “perfect storm.” However, there are avenues forward. To better assess Members’ specific supply needs, TPC has established virtual forums, created new methods for tracking anticipated caseloads and conducted information gathering surveys. Based on the information discovered, TPC investigated and thoroughly vetted alternative suppliers and worked to match them to individual Member’s needs. Success stories – and lessons to be applied as the world strives for a new normal – are beginning to appear. “I think good things can happen in bad situations. … When I think about some of the changes that will take place – the supply chain will need to transform, specifically in healthcare,” Moon said. “There’s so much data out there. There are new technologies out there. I think there are going to be innovations … and a concerted effort to come together and rethink the entire supply chain.”

To the patient base they serve, independent and rural hospitals are more than just medical centers. They are cornerstones of smaller communities – not only providing health care services, but also contributing to the local economy. However, with more large, multi-national corporations entering the healthcare space and edging out smaller institutions in terms of market share, these independent organizations are struggling to maximize efficiencies, control costs and stay sustainable as independent hospitals or smaller health systems. To reach out for more information click here. And stay up to date with the latest TPC and industry news by checking back in to our blog at https://www.tpc1.com/blog.

Let’s face it, dealing with healthcare bills can often be more stressful than the health issue at hand. But Cody Waldrop, VP of Revenue Cycle Inc., attests that it doesn’t have to be that way. Hospitals and healthcare can change for the better and eliminate some of the anxiety that comes with the business of healthcare. Waldrop explains where there’s room for improvement in this episode of TPC Talks. “Hospitals and providers, in general, need to get better at communicating with the patients,” Waldrop said. Patient stress, anxiety, and frustration often come from a lack of clear expectations of pricing from the start. Waldrop encourages hospitals to be “clear and transparent,” with patients about service costs and billing parties. But how? Waldrop elaborates on new methods of communication like automated text, email, and interactive voice response messaging which help reach patients in a variety of ways. Furthermore, consolidated bills help patients digest their care, and understand their treatment in a comprehensive, holistic way. “It’s critical that if hospitals want to succeed in the coming years...they’ve got to learn how to communicate more appropriately with their patients,” Waldrop emphasized. Healthcare is ultimately an altruistic business, and that sentiment of extending a helping hand must also translate into the financial transaction of the business as well.