Travel Day

As I type this I am waiting out a long layover for a connecting flight. I doubt that I am the only AHRMM member presently doing so, with the conference ending, I am sure that many of us are hurrying back home to catch up on the work that most certainly did not stop piling up while we were out of the office this week. I want to thank all of the AHRMM volunteers, staff, and presenters. It is obvious that there is a great amount of work that you all do to make this happen, and I am very appreciative of those efforts.

I met a lot of great people in Boston this year, and am looking forward to meeting more next year in San Antonio. I hope to see you there.

Jon Reiners, CMRP

AHRMM11 - August 9

After a great day on Monday, the expectations for Tuesday were high. It did not disappoint.

Learning Lab 4.6

Healthcare Reform - What It Will Mean and Why It Will Be the Supply Chain Opportunity of a Lifetime. This was a panel discussion, which included the following: Michael Bohon, Scott Hawig, Randy Hayas, Michael L. Rudomin, and Eugene Schneller. This was an open panel discussion among the above discussing the implications of Healthcare Reform and how should the Supply Chain capitalize on it. All panelists agreed that physician involvement is a key for any changes that may be made due to new reform legislations. In Massachusetts, the state enacted a law requiring all state residents to have health insurance. This was an initial big tax impact on those without proven insurance. Several million new people were added to the system in Massachusetts which had made the issue of access to care so critical.

Based on a recent survey, 36% of all hospitals are not going to do any sort of ACOs, which are envisioned as a government prosperity situation that some hospitals don't like.

All Supply Chain managers need to make their records and all information available to your customers. This prospers good customer relations and is a win-win in the long haul.

General Session
Health Reform: Drivers and Implications
Speaker: Jamie Orlikoff
Beverly Slate, AHRMM President-Elect, introduced our speaker for the General Session.

There are two swords of Damocles hanging over hospitals - (1) Health Reform and (2) Federal Debt. Health Reform passed this time because it had to. The rate of healthcare costs is going up faster than inflation. Today 4.9% of the national economy is spent on our military. We spend three times more dollars to cover healthcare costs. Healthcare spending doesn't add value to the costs of our goods and services. Healthcare is the largest component of GDP and growing at a high rate. Cost reduction is the key! A reduction in costs creates the dollars to provide gain sharing. Value-efficiency-safety must center on patient care. Value not volume.

Learning Lab 5
Secrets of the Supply Chain (That Every Administrator Should Know).

Speakers, Michael Bohon and Michael Rudomin discussed the problem of frequent miscommunication between hospital departments and the importance of uncovering and properly addressing these strategic Supply Chain “secrets.” We need to discover new and minimally disruptive approaches to supply chain improvements that can produce positive results. Building trust takes time - it is built through actions and often starts with small projects. Deal with hard facts - if you blow it you might as well give up. Vendor consolidation saves the most money. GPO assessments are very expensive and 70% of the hospitals end up staying with same vendor.

Tuesday was a great day and the vendor exhibits were some of the best I have seen in recent years. AHRMM11 has been a wonderful learning experience for all.

Just one more day then I jet back to the sunny South - blog for final day to come later.

Nancy J Webber, MPH, CMRP

This morning proved to be another great experience in Boston. My first session was enlightening, learning about those aspects that make the healthcare supply chain unique, as well as similarities from other industries. Following this learning experience, I was able to reconnect with several colleagues at the vendor fair and made new acquaintances as well, which should prove even more valuable than the iPad that I didn’t win.

After lunch, I readied myself for an informative but dry general session; after all, how could a session entitled Health Reform: Drivers and Implications be interesting? The answer to this question is Jamie Orlikoff. He is not only a talented presenter with a mastery of his subject matter, but he was also entertaining and quite funny, even though his message may be construed as “bad news” (As I type, I am putting a quarter in the pickle jar.)

The healthcare supply chain is about to undergo trial by fire. Those supply chain executives who are ready for the challenge will have both the attention and support of the C-Suite at an unprecedented level as the industry is forced to evaluate costs and utilization. I am reminded of an old saying: “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” Supply chain has been asking for more administrative attention. Now that we have it, the question becomes, what we are going to do with it? Here’s hoping that we all rise to the challenge.

Jon Reiners, CMRP

AHRMM11 - Day 3

Wow, already Day 3 of my last AHRMM meeting as a Board member. It has been so wonderful to meet the many faces behind the voices of committee members; by the way, it has been my pleasure working with you all, and I hope you have benefited from the experience as much as I. Thank you for you time and commitment.

Joe Tye was the perfect speaker to begin AHRMM after Bill Stitt's welcome. Joe's presentation complemented Bill's comments regarding what roles we play by reminding us of our history and the value each one of us can bring to each social, educational, and professional forum.

The sessions I have attended have been well presented and representative of the calibre of professionals amongst. Remember, you too, have a story and we would love to see a submission for next year.

Off to my first session this am; will try to check in shortly.

Kathi J Pressley

Having a Great Time in Boston

With the first day of AHRMM completed, I have to say that Boston is a great town for this conference. The eclectic mix of people, sights, and architecture permeate this city in a way that, strangely, seems to reflect the varied backgrounds, occupations, and home bases of the attendees.

My personal highlight of the day yesterday was hearing Joe Tye talk about designing a cultural blueprint for your department. He is a truly gifted speaker, with a topic that is both salient and timely, and after hearing him speak, I have set a personal goal to spend at least one hour every week planning the invisible architecture of my department, and I would like to challenge all of my AHRMM colleagues to do the same.

That’s all for now; I am looking forward to day two.

Jon Reiners, CMRP

AHRMM11 - August 8 - Monday

"It's truly a supply chain revolution. Let's lead the charge" - William Stitt

Our 49th Annual Conference had the Opening Session and Keynote Address in the Ballroom East of the Boston Convention Center. William Stitt, AHRMM President addressed the members with welcoming remarks and information. Kimberly-Clark presented the prestigious George R. Gossett Leadership Award to Jamie Kowalski - a very deserved honor.

Keynote speaker was Joe Tye, CEO and Head Coach, America's Values Coach. In today's healthcare reform climate, healthcare facilities should ensure that everyone does their part. Instead of whining and crying look at things as opportunity for change for the better. Florence Nightengale was the first hospital administrator during her 22 months at the battlefront during the Crimean War. Her book "Notes on Nursing" is still widely respected. The first hospital was in fact designed by Florence Nightengale - the Sidney Herbert Hospital in 1866. Before this time hospitals were in converted warehouses and other buildings. Healthcare is not a job - it is a mission. Disengagement is one of the chief causes of underachievement and depression on the job. The invisible architecture is the blueprint behind the brick and mortar of your organization - it is the soul of an organization.

Mr.Tye signed copies of his book during the attendee luncheon - which is available for sale in the AHRM Bookstore.

Learning Lab 1

Preventing Fraud and Theft in the O.R. 1.6 Speaker for this session, Thomas Beall, spoke of his own experience at his facility when a whistleblower reported that their vendor was charging full price for new reamers used in hip repair but the sales person for the hospital was actually substituting used instruments. He went through the investigation, how data was gathered and the spikes in purchases over a 2-year period - a red flag - a demonstration was shown to attendees of the drilling of the hip bone for placement of the pins. The initial justification in very fine print, where cleaning of this product was given, said the hospital may opt for new drill each procedure. Final outcome - company response - after investigation of its sales force, the sales person for the hospital got greedy.

Learning Lab 2

Results of 2011 Executive Survey on Supply Chain Management: Messages and Strategies. The speaker, Jamie Kowalski, gave the results for this survey, which is done in collaboration with AHRMM, Marquette University's Center for Supply Chain Management, and Jamie Kowalski Consulting LLC. Supply Chain can improve hospital performance, hospital productivity, and hospital effectiveness. Supply Chain can also improve clinical success, patient care, and patient safety. Support for the Supply Chain at the C-level is dropping and the survey results are significantly lower. A main area of concern is the fact that Supply Chain Leaders (moderately) are 3.3/5.0 satisfied with their performance. Improvement and process is being seen but the interest level is lower. The main focus of the C-suite is revenue and reimbursement - most do not believe that Supply Chain is strategic. Conclusions include that there is too much disconnect between C-suite and Supply Chain. There is too much not under control. The C-suite executives need convincing that Supply Chain is strategic and Supply Chain needs leadership training.

Learning Lab 3

Journey from the Basement to the Boardroom 3.6 Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta has seen it's payor mix change to 53% Medicaid and 43% private pay. There has been a paradigm shift going from Materials Management to Supply Chain - people dependent to process dependent - technology deficient to technology enabled. Speaker John McMillian explained this was not an overnight fix. The steps include optimization, integration, collaboration, synchronization, and supply chain maturity. The Childrens Supply Chain Journey:

2005- crawl
2006- walk
2007-jog
2008-run
2009/10-sprint
2011 - run for endurance - equip for success 2012 - marathon strength strategy
2013 - team relay - collaborate/expand resources. Components of their success are to think differently, people capability, process discipline, and technology capability.

It was a long, full day - highlighted by the Vendor Exhibits from 1:15 - 4:15 pm.

Looking forward to Tuesday!
Nancy J Webber, MPH, CMRP

On the Road - Skies, I Should Say - to AHRMM 11

Saturday August 6 - 8:45 am - loaded on Delta airplane for the quick flight to Atlanta from my home in Birmingham. No delays so far - so good. Weather is clear and sunny so hoping weather cooperates all the way to Boston.

12:30 pm - had a safe take-off and will be in Boston in about 2 hours 10 minutes according the overhead announcement. We are currently cruising along at 35,000 feet.

2:14 pm - safe trip and not too bumpy a landing at Boston - I am so happy to report both of my suitcases made safe journeys to the Northeast via Delta airlines.

9:15 p.m. - Westin Hotel Waterfront is simply a gorgeous place - had dinner in hotel at cute Irish pub called MJ O'Connor's - AHRMM attendees I can highly recommend! Tomorrow is early registration for conference - the 15th Annual Golf Tournament is also tomorrow. Everyone have a great day and let's get ready for AHRMM11!

Nancy J Webber, MPH, CMRP

Pickles Anyone?

Who else out there has had a week filled with chaos? I won’t bore you with the details, let’s just say that I feel somewhat overwhelmed at this point, trying to check off all of the tasks in my Outlook mailbox and getting ready to travel to AHRMM. In fact, I could easily become bitter and negative, if I hadn’t recently pledged not to be a “pickle sucker.”

I learned about pickle suckers from Joe Tye, who coincidentally is the opening keynote speaker at AHRMM this year. I won’t steal his thunder by explaining what in the world a pickle sucker is; you will just have to make sure to see his keynote address. I know that you will not be disappointed.

Joe Tye is a force for positivity in healthcare. He reminds us how important it is to live out those aspects of common kindness and decency that (hopefully) we were all taught as young children, and why it is so important that we neither permit nor promote negativity, gossiping, whining, or complaining. You can check him out at http://www.joetye.com/.

As you prepare to travel to Boston, come ready to learn and network, expect supply chain enlightenment, and remember, let’s be nice out there.

Jon Reiners, CMRP

Countdown for AHRMM11

It is hard to believe that in just 4 days I will be jetting my way from the sunny South to the not-quite-as-hot Northeast. With temperatures this week in Alabama at and above 100 degrees, I am ready for the 70-80 degrees expected in Boston next week.

My first Conference was in 1994 at the 32nd American Society for Healthcare Materials Management in Ft Worth, Texas. Now, 17 years later and a new name, Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management, I look forward to this year's meeting with as much anticipation as my first. This year also marks the 15th Annual Golf Tournament, which is sponsored by McKesson this year.

The Learning Labs this year have eight different tracks and a few changes are noted. The "Distribution" Learning Lab is now called "Logistics" and a brand new "Research" Learning Lab is being offered with three sessions. These sessions will give all attendees the opportunity to choose learning tracks best suited to their needs. With such a wide variety offered, every AHRMM member should have no trouble planning their days of learning.

The three planned General Sessions speakers are all outstanding and should be of great interest to all attendees.

I appreciate the opportunity to blog this year- have spent 3 years on the "Issues and Legislation" Committee ( including one year as Committee Chair), I was beginning to feel a little "out of the loop" without my committee work. I hope my blogs will be informative and interesting.

I have a full week at work - trying to ready the storeroom and my staff with my scheduled off week at AHRMM. If each day is as busy as Monday and Tuesday have shown to be, this will be one wild week!

I plan to write a blog for each session I attend so I may have several short blogs or a long one or two.

Now it is back to work here before AHRMM11 this weekend!

Nancy J Webber, MPH, CMRP

AHRMM11 - A Great Way to Extend Your Network!

AHRMM is a PeopleFest even for those of us who are more introverted. What I am saying is that AHRMM provides forums – smaller sessions, hallway conversations, new member networking socials for those of us that do better in smaller, more one on one or one on three interactions. These conversations have always provided a way to meet new people, entertain new ideas for our careers, and plant seeds for career growth. So I challenge you to chat with one new person at each learning session, strike up a conversation with someone from another state or country, and extend your network at least one more degree. See you at AHRMM 2011.

Kathi J Pressley

See You at a AHRMM11 Roundtable Session on Sunday!

Just realized we are less than a month away from AHRMM11; I am looking forward to facilitate the Sustainability Roundtable on Sunday. There are many more folks that I had anticipated signed up for this session. I have always found the Roundtable sessions to be inspirational and definitely a value added to my attendance at AHRMM. I have been involved in several of these offerings over the past few years. The Roundtable sessions tend to be incredibly interactive, on the money in terms of relevance, and more engaging in their informal atmosphere. One of the best I attended was the Chapter Roundtable that has become a staple of the AHRMM Conference Lineup – where you can get practical strategies to grow and engage your regional supply chain professionals. On a personal note, these sessions are less intimidating to the more reserved of us and offer an opportunity to speak up and chat with our peers. So I hope to see you and chat with you at a Roundtable session on Sunday, August 7th.

Kathi J Pressley

Join Me at AHRMM11

Wow, I can’t believe this will be my last conference as an AHRMM Board member. But I also remember that attending my first AHRMM conference was where my involvement with AHRMM was kindled. I was impressed with the spectrum of educational offerings and the opportunities presented for networking.  So I’ve made new lifelong friends, sparked new relationships, strengthened business connections and had a lot of fun along the way. I learned about that the only constant in healthcare is change; I challenged myself as a presenter; I have broadened my professional skills and matured so that I can now mentor others. I hope to present in the next few blogs, the myriad of ways that AHRMM and its annual conference can enhance your career, your  personal growth and your roles in your communities.

Kathi J Pressley, AHRMM Board Member

Lead the Charge at AHRMM 11

Recently, I joined another online networking group, this one regarding quality, which happens to be one of my passions; watch subsequent blog posts for control charts and value stream maps. Hoping for the chance to make new contacts and broaden my knowledge base, I was one of the first to register for the group, which promised to send out weekly status updates regarding new members, discussion topics, posted questions, and other relevant quality news.

In the coming weeks, I was amazed—but not really surprised—to watch the status updates pile up in my inbox showing exponential growth in new members, the total member count, and, strangely, no other news. No discussions, no questions for the group, no brilliant nuggets of newly discovered wisdom from the world of quality. It was as if people signed up for the group and then forgot that it existed. I have witnessed this phenomenon before, and have to ask why this occurs. Could it be that all of these quality-minded professionals have improved their organization’s efficiency to the point that they have reduced their jobs to filling out online registrations for the fun of it simply to pass the time? I rather doubt it.

These people, like me, joined the network in question seeking some tangible value: to learn from others, to draw on their experience and expertise and thereby gain insight into new tools and techniques that they can apply to their own organizations to affect positive change. Sadly, it is very difficult to find this type of networking online, which brings me to the point of this blog. Ahrmm 11 will draw a multitude of professionals from the healthcare supply chain, all of whom you may network with face to face at the conference. Arhmm’s educational sessions are presented by professionals at the leading edge of healthcare supply chain innovation in a manner that is easily understood and completely relevant to the needs of today’s healthcare supply chain.

Come to Ahrmm 11, and learn how to lead the charge of the supply chain revolution. I hope to see you there.

Jon Reiners, CMRP

AHRMM10/August 3 & 4

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the fantastic weather here in Denver because at home for me in Texas-it is 105!

I really enjoyed the supplier exhibition earlier this week, as it gave me a chance to speak with some people my facility is working with. Of course I saw some familiar faces along the way and made some new friends.

I also found the sessions to be informative - I think AHRMM does a good job at selecting a variety of topics so everyone within healthcare supply chain can find something useful.

The closing speaker did a great job of speaking objectively about healthcare reform and how it relates to our side of the industry.

Anyway - that is it for now. Safe travels and look forward to seeing you in Boston in 2011!

Danny

AHRMM10

Just want to say what an excellent conference this was before I head off to my last Learning Lab. The Learning Lab presenters have been engaging, have provided excellent succinct slides and have opened the doors to new ways of doing what we have been doing all along - provide quality support to our patients and clinicians.

Dr. Nick Sears really summarized and provided the impetus for us to become key resources as healthcare reform impacts us all.

As the future chair for the AHRMM Conference Education committee, I can promise you more excellent content to come. The conference Education Committee has been listening and looks forward to hearing what you liked and what you want more of.

In the spirit of that Attitude of Gratitude, I thank my fellow Board Members, friends, acquaintances, and peers for your collegial spirit and making this conference so memorable in so many ways.

Kathi J Pressley, AHRMM Board Member

AHRMM10

WOW. The last two days have been incredible. Steve Rizzo’s opening keynote address was phenomenal. I know a lot of people that could use a little humor in their lives.

My first track Communicating Like a Leader did not disappoint. Dave Kaczmarek delivered another blockbuster presentation with tons of takeaways that can be implemented immediately. My second session, Expediting Savings Through Data Transparency, has given me the knowledge to present and leverage the correct data to key stake holders within my organization to identify and execute savings initiatives. My third session, Supply Chain OR Management, validated my savings initiatives at my organization and gave me some additional strategies.

The best thing about these educational tracks is that the information presented is real life experiences from my colleagues. The Education Committee has truly outdone themselves. I have a new admiration for the members.

The exhibit floor was jam packed. Walking the exhibit floor gave me the opportunity to be exposed to companies that I would have not necessarily have contact with. I also took the opportunity to inquire about current and upcoming technologies.

Overall the conference has been a worthwhile and positive experience. I am looking forward to the rest of the week. So far, I give this experience Six out of Five stars.

Well it’s time to go. I have been up since 5am, and I need to get ready for today’s General Session on Healthcare Reform. This should be really interesting. See you there.

Norberto Molina, CMRP

AHRMM10/Sunday & Monday

Sunday: We’re here in beautiful downtown Denver and the AHRMM conference has gotten off to a great start. After a walk along Cherry Creek, I freshened up and headed over to the Big Blue Bear Conference Center, not it’s real name, to introduce one of the first sessions – Adopting GS1 Data Standards, Choices and Challenges; the session was informative and geared to grassroots understanding of implementation of GLN and GTIN; the audience was engaged and outstanding, asking informed and thought-provoking questions related to difficulties related to vendor, manufacturer, and MMIS acceptance of these standards.


Then on to the wrap up of 2010 and introduction to the 2011 Conference Education Committee; I am looking forward to almost following in Jeff Wagner’s footsteps, Thank You Trusted Leader, and preparing for next year’s conference with a great group of people.

Enjoyed mingling with the new attendees, while filling in our “Find Someone Who” Bingo cards; I thought the Opening Reception had a great hmm and had a lot of fun finding old friends and making new. The photo and video booths were a crowd pleaser; once again Roberta, Kathi, and Friend Chris put on a great show!

Monday: The Opening Ceremony was led off by a stirring video on Transformation – definitely inspirational and powerful, followed by an equally compelling “call to engagement” by AHRMM President Ray Moore. A moving tribute to a dear colleague, John Brede, brought tears to many eyes. Then we were inspired by contributions and awards to Jean Sargent (George R Gossett) and Bob Perry (Pioneer).

Steve Rizzo challenged us to wake up with gratitude, acknowledge our Humorman, and monitor our attitudes or accept the consequences…..in his Long Island Way.

Then it was off to great and informative sessions. The speakers are doing a great job of bringing grassroots actionables for us to take home. Thanks to the many folks that pulled this agenda together.

Networking was on the top of the agenda as friends and I visited and networked to the various socials and receptions put on by our wonderful vendor sponsors. They each went all out to make sure that we touched base, ate and drank well, and then capped it off by extended dancing at the Med Assets sponsored Hard Rock Café venue. Thank you to All.

See you tomorrow…

AHRMM10/August 2

I hope everyone remembers their humorous side! Steve Rizzo did a great job of injecting humor into his motivational speech this morning - that got us started on the right note.

I also hope folks enjoyed the reception last night - it's a small world! I bumped into many of my current and former colleagues and it is always fun networking.

I attended some great breakouts this morning and am headed over to the Exhibition as I write this - more to come later!

Danny

Welcome from exiting Denver!

First day of the AHRMM conference and so far it is meeting all of my expectations. Today was Materials Management 201. This session was conducted by the 2006 AHRMM President Robert Perry. The information was priceless. Robert covered all aspects of materials management. One of the most important take away of this session was the suggestion to create an MM dashboard to keep your customers and superiors informed of all the current projects and initiatives, and report any savings that are being achieved. As Materials Managers, we are constantly influencing our organizations bottom line and are critical to operations, but we shy away from publicizing our successes. This is just one of the many insightful topics that were discussed during this session. I would highly recommend this session to anyone looking to enhance their MM knowledge base.


After this session, I headed over to the Welcome Reception. I was very excited to meet some old friends as well as meet some new ones. I was also able to personally meet some members that I had only dealt with over the phone.


I am looking forward to tomorrow’s opening keynote address as well as attending all of the educational tracks that I signed up for. I am sure that I will not be disappointed. I am hitting the sack early tonight so that I can be fully prepared for the day ahead. I am sure that tomorrow will definitely surpass my expectations. Hope to meet as many of you as I can.



Norberto Molina, CMRP

AHRMM10

Made it to Denver without a hitch! I hope everyone has safe and comfortable travels on their way to the conference.

I just checked into the hotel and am heading over to the convention center to see what's happening.

This afternoon I will be participating in a Sustainability Focus Group, and I hope to meet some new folks.

I'll be attending several sessions over the next few days and I hope you say hello if you see me.

Remember tonight is the Opening Reception at 6:30 - see everyone there!

Danny