Steve Corl, administrator at Mackinaw Surgery Center in Saginaw, Mich., discusses how the center tackles pricing negotiations with supply vendors.
Steve Corl: There are always several companies that offer the equivalent to a certain type of equipment, so what we usually do is a product comparison. For instance, our biggest supply needs for orthopedics are anchors and screws, which act as implants. We look at each company's product and involve our physicians in the process, which is key because it's not always about prices. Even though one product might be cheaper, you might want the more expensive equivalent because it'll add more value to the facility.
Once we've compared the products, we basically let the companies know that we're comparing their prices to other companies. Then it becomes a bidding war over prices between the three or four companies. We go to them and say, "We know the quality is equal in all of your products across the board. We need your best price and we're going to go with the best one out of the rest."
Learn more about Mackinaw Surgery Center.
Thank you to Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program for arranging this interview.
Steve Corl: There are always several companies that offer the equivalent to a certain type of equipment, so what we usually do is a product comparison. For instance, our biggest supply needs for orthopedics are anchors and screws, which act as implants. We look at each company's product and involve our physicians in the process, which is key because it's not always about prices. Even though one product might be cheaper, you might want the more expensive equivalent because it'll add more value to the facility.
Once we've compared the products, we basically let the companies know that we're comparing their prices to other companies. Then it becomes a bidding war over prices between the three or four companies. We go to them and say, "We know the quality is equal in all of your products across the board. We need your best price and we're going to go with the best one out of the rest."
Learn more about Mackinaw Surgery Center.
Thank you to Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program for arranging this interview.