A longtime leader in healthcare improvement, we’re developing new ways to revolutionize the industry.
Price gouging? No, thanks.
As coronavirus tests the U.S. healthcare supply chain’s stability from every angle, healthcare providers are aiming to equip themselves with the necessary supplies to safeguard staff who care for sick patients.
But even as they shop online for essential supplies like hand sanitizer, it’s becoming clear that not all online marketplaces are built the same. Especially in times of crisis, providers shouldn’t have to deal with price gouging on critical supplies or questionable claims about items that are in stock.
Ideally, providers shouldn’t have to deal with a marketplace that isn’t built for healthcare at all.
With preparedness for coronavirus underway, trusted group purchasing partners are staying in close touch with their members. However, not all healthcare businesses work with a GPO. Take alternate site providers: these physicians’ offices, medical practices, senior living facilities and other small- to mid-sized healthcare providers have sick patients walking in their doors but may lack the buying power or procurement capabilities that acute-care providers access through their GPO.
Premier’s customer research shows 75 percent of alternate site providers rely on e-Commerce to supplement their traditional purchasing.
As part of our drive to create a healthier supply chain market, Premier launched an e-Commerce marketplace, stockd®, last year so that providers and other businesses, including those in the alternate site space, can easily access better pricing and efficiencies for everyday items.
It’s no accident that stockd is built by healthcare providers for healthcare providers – and thereby fortified by the mutual mission to do what’s best for patients, healthcare workers and the community at large.
For example, despite recent supply chain shockwaves, pricing on the stockd marketplace has remained unchanged. Buying protections, fair pricing and the reputability of items are built into the platform, which stands on the pedigree of its products and suppliers.
Of course, these advantages exist for buyers outside of coronavirus. In an era of heightened customer expectations, e-Commerce has to deliver.
As e-Commerce becomes a larger part of healthcare providers’ buying strategies, the importance of a buying channel that has providers’ and patients’ best interests in mind is paramount. A marketplace that shares its customers’ patient-centered missions won’t fail to deliver.
During COVID-19, Premier continues to act as a trusted connection point for healthcare providers, suppliers and the government. We are working 24/7 to address challenges as they occur and help our alliance of more than 4,000 hospitals and health systems and 175,000 non-acute providers access the supplies they need to serve their communities. We are also partnering with the Administration and private sector to create both short-term and long-term solutions, and sharing our insights to help inform the public understanding.