Revamping Procurement Strategies for Healthcare Providers with Direct Supply® DSSI™

Unveiling Strategic Healthcare Purchasing

Strategic purchasing is not just about buying smarter; it’s about aligning procurement strategies with overarching organizational goals. Strategic purchases drive efficiency, consistency and ultimately achieve business goals. It’s a holistic approach that looks beyond the transactional aspects of procurement. The goal is to leverage procurement as a strategic asset.

In the healthcare sector where procurement is nuanced and complex, the task requires more than just an internal team managing day-to-day purchasing tasks. This is where Direct Supply DSSI comes into play. Our expert team collaborates with Senior Living and healthcare procurement teams to implement strategic purchasing methodologies, transforming procurement from a cost center to a strategic asset.

The DSSI Platform and Strategic Procurement Services

No other healthcare procurement platform compares to DSSI. We leverage extensive industry data and advanced artificial intelligence to generate actionable insights that enhance staff satisfaction, resident welfare and the bottom line.

Our technology, combined with our strategic consulting, offers a comprehensive solution unmatched by any competitor. Through the DSSI platform, healthcare providers can make data-driven decisions. Informed purchasing leads to improved operational efficiencies and significant cost savings.

Realizing Cost Savings and Ensuring Compliance

Doug Pickett, Vice President of Procurement Services, outlines our approach: “Everyone works hard to control spending. But we’ve developed ways to make spending a strategic advantage for our clients.” Through innovative technology, AI-enhanced order guide optimization and powerful analytics, we’re driving significant savings and operational enhancements.

DSSI’s consulting services helped save more than $35 million across 130 providers in 2023. The impact of our automated contract compliance and data-driven decisions is clear. This strategy simplifies compliance while guaranteeing the best outcomes for our clients, free of supplier biases.

Customized Hosted Catalogs for Efficiency

Our expertise in creating tailored, hosted procurement catalogs simplifies the procurement process by offering a unified, efficient interface for supplier and product options. This streamlined approach offers our clients control and simplicity. The improved user experience is a stark contrast to the cumbersome nature of punch-out catalogs. 

These customized catalogs ensure that healthcare providers have access to the best products at the best prices. Never again will procurement managers be shocked by large purchase orders with incorrect products. The best price points are achieved while maintaining compliance with organizational standards and requirements.

Consulting and Support Services

Beyond technology, Direct Supply DSSI provides extensive procurement consulting and support services. Our team of experts works closely with healthcare providers to understand their unique needs and challenges. This collaboration allows us to tailor our solutions to each client. They receive the maximum benefit from our services, guaranteed. 

Whether it’s optimizing procurement strategies, negotiating better terms with suppliers, or implementing new technologies, our consulting services are designed to drive success. We focus on continuously improving your procurement functions in real time, easing physical and digital procurement.

Enhanced Supplier Relationships

Building strong relationships with suppliers is a key component of effective procurement processes. Direct Supply DSSI fosters these relationships when building sourcing strategies, ensuring that healthcare providers have access to a wide network of reliable, managed suppliers. 

We also provide tools to assist in contract management, ensuring that all parties are in compliance with agreed terms. DSSI customers gain visibility into contract expiration and renewal processes so that they can make strategic decisions towards negotiating new contracts, finding new suppliers, and more.

Our supplier network not only provides a diverse range of products but also offers competitive pricing and reliable delivery schedules. By maintaining strong supplier relationships, Direct Supply ensures that healthcare providers can rely on consistent quality and availability of necessary products.

Change Management and Training

Implementing new procurement technologies and strategies can be a significant change for any organization. DSSI offers comprehensive change management and training services to ensure a smooth transition. Our experts provide training and support to help healthcare providers adapt to new systems and processes.

Your internal procurement professionals will be treated with respect and promptly brought up to speed on any necessary changes. This support minimizes disruptions and ensures that staff are comfortable and proficient with new technologies. A smarter, more informed staff leads to better overall outcomes.

Future-Proofing Healthcare Procurement Strategies

The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and procurement strategies must adapt to keep pace. Direct Supply DSSI is committed to risk management by future-proofing our supply chains. We are constantly innovating and integrating new technologies, and we always stay ahead of industry trends and advancements.

In order to prove our dedication, we ensure that our clients always have access to the latest tools and strategies. Some examples are our real-time product availability and alternate product functionalities. These features provided support to healthcare suppliers during times of supply chain volatility, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, this functionality helped prevent more than 200,000 product stock outs in 2023, preventing interruptions to the order fulfillment process. This commitment to innovation ensures that healthcare providers can remain competitive and continue to deliver the highest quality care.

Learn more about DSSI’s efforts to prepare our customers and vendors for market changes.

Sustainability in Procurement Strategies

In addition to cost reduction and efficiency, sustainability is a growing concern in healthcare procurement. The DSSI team is dedicated to helping healthcare providers implement sustainable procurement practices. We approach this effort by pulling in large amounts of product information through our hosted catalog and integrated vendor structure. This includes info on eco-friendliness, materials used in production, and more. The wealth of information provided to purchasers empowers them to make the best and most sustainable decision for their organization. By focusing on eco-friendly products and suppliers, we help organizations reduce their environmental impact. 

A focus on sustainability does not prevent our customers from achieving their procurement goals. In fact, it can reveal new cost saving opportunities. Our sustainable and effective procurement strategies are designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare providers. We ensure that they can contribute to a healthier planet while maintaining high standards of care.

Achieving Strategic Excellence – The DSSI Difference

By embracing the DSSI solution, healthcare providers can transcend traditional procurement challenges. Our commitment to innovation, sustainability and client success ensures that healthcare providers can navigate the complexities of procurement with confidence and ease.

The Direct Supply DSSI platform and strategic procurement services offer a unique and powerful solution for healthcare providers. We help organizations transform their procurement strategies into strategic assets. This transformation leads to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency. With Direct Supply as a partner, healthcare providers can achieve their procurement goals and drive success.

As one of our executives puts it, the strength of Direct Supply DSSI lies in the ability to become an extension of client teams. Through expert consulting, strategic use of technology and a focus on change management, we empower Senior Living and healthcare providers to focus on what matters most. They can focus on caring for their patients and residents while we handle the complexities of procurement.