Medline today announced that it has expanded its medical surgical prime vendor agreement with Northern California-based healthcare network Sutter Health to include lab and environmental services (EVS).
The recently renewed prime vendor agreement means the system’s spend on lab and EVS products and solutions will become part of Sutter Health’s current, proactive supply chain strategy – launched post-COVID to increase access and quality of care, maintain excellent outcomes and improve overall efficiencies.
Medline has been Sutter Health’s medical and surgical supplies prime vendor for seven years. As part of this prime vendor relationship, Sutter Health’s Stock Control Team – which serves as the system’s distribution control tower – is able to monitor key metrics such as item utilization, contract compliance, price accuracy and spend by product categories through Medline’s advanced analytics platforms.
“Medline helps us analyze our volume, track how much we’ve purchased and decide what our distribution center inventory should look like,” said Lee Ayers, Sutter Health’s director of supply chain, “They are more than just our distributor partner. We see Medline as a mediator who helps us optimize supply distribution channels. And we look forward to finding more ways to boost our collaboration together.”
Ayers said Sutter Health and Medline work together to strike the right balance between just-in-time and just-in-case inventory and that they have become adept at identifying new tactics for consolidating distribution, standardizing SKUs and efficiently integrating all points of care into the health system’s overall supply chain operations.
“Sutter Health takes a cutting-edge approach to healthcare solutions for providers and patients,” said Sherry Yeom, vice president, regional field sales at Medline. “They work relentlessly to ensure that those in need have access to comprehensive, exceptional and equitable to care and services, and we are proud to support Sutter Health’s pursuit of this commitment.”
