Volume 32 | October 11, 2018
Insights-Trends-Opinions
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John Pritchard
jpritchard@ShareMovingMedia.com
(770) 263-5262

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National Accounts Summit adds more IDNs to finalized agenda 
The Journal of Healthcare Contracting is hosting the inaugural National Accounts Summit in Orlando, Florida on November 13-14, 2018.

If you are in National or Corporate Accounts, you do not want to miss out on this opportunity to get in front of your customers!

We are giving discounts for groups, so please contact Anna McCormick (info below) if you and your team would like to join us.

Confirmed Speakers:
-- Russell Davis, executive director, The Advisory Board
-- John Pritchard, publisher, The Journal of Healthcare Contracting
-- Dee Donatelli, principal, Dee Donatelli Consulting
-- Robin Lane, senior manager value analysis, UPMC
-- Robert Yokl, SVP operations, SVAH Solutions
-- Bruce Radcliff, VP supply chain, Aurora Health Care
-- Chris McDown, SVP sourcing operations, Vizient
-- Dave Edwards, senior VP/GM strategic corporate accounts, Siemens Healthcare Solutions 
-- Raymond deAvila, senior director, ForceManagement
-- Todd Laidlaw, VP, business development academic medical centers and aggregation, Medline Industries Inc
-- Cindy Christofanelli, corporate director supply chain, SSM Health Care
-- Shawn Katusin, executive director, IHN Sourcing Group
Questions? Contact Anna McCormick at amccormick@sharemovingmedia.com .

8 states already reporting flu cases
Several states are already seeing flu cases at the start of the 2018-19 flu season.

Flu season, which runs from October to May, usually peaks between December and February.

During the 2017-18 flu season, about 80,000 people died from the flu and 900,000 people required hospitalization.

The CDC has urged everyone ages 6 months and older to receive a flu vaccine by the end of October.

Here are several states that have already reported cases of the flu:
  • Arizona - At least 30 people were diagnosed with the flu during the week of October 1.
  • Delaware - Has already reported 16 flu cases this season.
  • Kentucky - State health officials confirmed Kentucky's first flu-related death of the 2018-19 season, which involved a patient in his or her 60s, who had underlying health conditions.
  • North Carolina - Recently reported two flu-related deaths, which occurred in late September and early October.
  • North Dakota - The state's first flu case was reported to the state health department October 8.
  • Pennsylvania - Lancaster (Pa.) General Health confirmed several flu cases this week.
  • Tennessee - An unspecified amount of flu cases have already occurred in the state.
  • Washington, DC - Area hospitals have reported four flu cases.
Trump signs bills on drug prices
President Trump signed two bills Wednesday intended to keep drug prices low and transparent, emphasizing the importance of keeping drugs affordable. Mr. Trump said prescription drug prices are a bipartisan issue that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon. 

Mr. Trump gave a rare nod to Democrats Wednesday, saying that not just Republicans but Democrats, too, care about lowering drug prices.
 
"If there's anything bipartisan it's lowering drug prices," he said

7 health systems investing in express care sites
Health systems across the U.S. are looking for ways to improve the overall health of the communities they serve while simultaneously cutting costs.
Over the last few months, several health systems have announced their intent to expand their primary care or express care strategies.

Here is a breakdown of seven hospitals or health systems investing in primary care sites, as reported by Becker's Hospital Review since Jan. 1:

1. UC San Diego Health. UC San Diego Health  plans to open  more than 10 express and primary care sites over the next four years in an effort to increase patient access to providers. The sites will be spread across several California cities along public transit lines.

2. Novant Health (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
In partnership with GoHealth Urgent Care, Novant Health  will establish  a large network of urgent care centers across North Carolina. The first phase of the project will include constructing 15 centers in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, N.C.

 
25 most common surgical procedures at ASCs
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to be the focus of healthcare industry leaders seeking to reduce overall care costs. The expansion of care delivery outside of the traditional hospital setting correlates with falling costs, improved outcomes, and increased rates of patient satisfaction. Because of their limited offerings and outpatient focus, ASCs can offer diagnostic and outpatient procedures at lower rates than hospitals and other inpatient centers — often with shorter wait times for patients.

Most Common Surgical Procedures at ASCs
Cataract Surgery w/iol implant
  1. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy w/biopsy
  2. Colonoscopy w/biopsy
  3. Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa
Free Webinar: 10 Key Strategies to Sell to IDNs and GPOs
After 35+ years in the industry, John Pritchard and Ken Murawski know what works when it comes to selling to Integrated Delivery Networks and Group Purchasing Organizations. In this webinar, tap into their collective knowledge and learn how you too can navigate this complex, changing arena by leading with value-based solutions.

This session will dive into the findings compiled in a newly published e-book from The Association of National Accounts Executives (ANAE) which outlines the ten imperatives anyone calling on these organizations needs to understand.  

You’ll walk away with:
  • A deep understanding of 10 actionable strategies to employ 
  • Specific examples of how these tactics have proven themselves successful
  • Insight into more than 3 decades of contracting success with IDNs & GPOs 
  • Exclusive access to the e-book: 10 Keys for Success in National Accounts in 2018

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John Pritchard


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