Freeman receives 2014 VHA Excellence Award

JOPLIN, Mo.—Freeman Health System received an Excellence Award for Supply Chain Management from VHA Inc., a national network serving more than 5,100 health system members. The award recognizes Freeman for documenting one of the highest levels of improvement in cost performance when purchasing physician-preferred supplies through the VHA alliance. VHA presented this award on Sunday, April 27, during its national Navigating to Excellence Forum, held in Las Vegas, Nev.

“As a good financial steward, Freeman continually strives to identify means through which we can lower costs and pass along those savings to our patients,” said Paula Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Excellence Award from VHA is an indication of this mission, and we are honored for the recognition.”

To determine the winner of their Excellence Award, VHA evaluated the Physician Preference Item Price Index numbers of its member hospitals using their VHA PriceLYNX analytic solution. The index is a 100-point scale determined by the aggregate costs for “physician preference” supplies when compared to similar-sized hospitals. Hospitals use VHA PriceLYNX to gain analytical insight into managing costs for these specialty items and to determine how they can achieve greater savings. Of the VHA member hospitals reviewed for the award, Freeman was one of only three hospitals recognized for their improvement in 2013. 

“Hospitals today are focused on making every aspect of their operations as cost effective as possible while also enhancing the patient’s experience and improving clinical outcomes,” said Byron Jobe, VHA executive vice president, service and delivery. “VHA’s Excellence Award honors the hospitals that achieved the highest levels of improvement in the cost performance of the physician preference items within their supply chain. Their spirit and commitment to continuous improvement reflects VHA’s mission, and we are proud to recognize Freeman’s achievement.”

VHA is a national network serving more than 5,100 health system members and affiliates that work together to achieve new levels of clinical performance and operational efficiency. By recognizing institutions for their commitment and achievements, VHA hopes that other health systems will apply these leading practices in their own organizations to further enhance the overall level of quality in our nation’s health care system.

About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System has earned a number of US News & World Report distinctions – Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri, #4 hospital in the state, and High Performing status in seven specialties. The health system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. A not-for-profit health system, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, and women’s services and has more than 300 physicians on staff. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. 

About VHA
VHA Inc. is a national network of not-for-profit health care organizations working together to improve performance and efficiency in clinical, financial and operational management. Since 1977, when VHA established the first hospital membership organization, the company has applied its knowledge in analytics, contracting, consulting and network development to help members and customers achieve their strategic objectives. In 2012, VHA delivered $1.9 billion in savings and additional value to members. Serving 5,100 health system members and affiliates, VHA represents more than a quarter of the nation’s hospitals. VHA also serves more than 118,000 non-acute health care customers enterprise-wide. VHA is based in Irving, Texas, and has 12 regional offices across the U.S. VHA, together with UHC, owns Novation, a supply chain company, and its subsidiary aptitudeTM , the health care industry’s first online direct market for contracting. VHA also owns Provista, a supply chain company serving the non-acute market as well as hospitality, education, corporate and government markets. For more information, visit www.vha.com and follow us on Twitter (@VHAInc).