TPC Cardiac Rhythm Management Initiative Saves Members Money and Improves Patient Outcomes

One of the main challenges for healthcare administrators is providing the best patient care possible while remaining profitable. They find themselves navigating ways to reduce costs and increase reimbursement, while simultaneously improving patient outcomes. Though the task can be daunting, many hospitals have found that strategic partnerships can provide the necessary support to help them achieve cost containment. TPC provides a platform that allows Members to work collaboratively to increase their financial, operational and clinical performance.  One key method is through product standardization. As an example, TPC Members have seen significant success through product standardization in the purchase of cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices and related products. Let’s take a closer look at how this program benefits healthcare organizations and patients.

The CRM contracting initiative engaged both TPC’s Cardiology Clinical Value Analysis Team (Cardio CVAT) and Cardiology Physician Sub-Committee (Cardio PSC). Our Members’ goal was to consolidate market share to a Member-selected vendor while also allowing, on an as-needed basis, access to other vendors currently in use. Prior to the initiative, Members were either on locally negotiated agreements or on national GPO agreements, with their collective spend in CRM spread across four separate vendors. This lack of aggregation created wide variations in product, price, and service across the membership.

When the Members decided to evaluate the opportunity in CRM, there were several challenges. First, many Members had pre-established relationships with vendors and felt they were being well serviced, making them reluctant to move market share to a new vendor. In addition, many physicians had brand loyalty to the products they used. This was, in large part, due to their depth of knowledge and comfort with the incumbent products. Finally, physicians were concerned about compliance requirements when contracting with a sole source supplier.

The CRM initiative was conceived as a Pre-Commit Program. TPC Members formally committed, prior to the launch of an initiative, to work together as a virtual system and move as a unit to the selected vendor upon the contract award. This commitment demonstrates to the marketplace, and to key stakeholders, the integrity of the TPC contracting process and the binding commitment the Members have to one another.

After a thorough evaluation by the Cardio CVAT and Cardio PSC, the Members selected a clinically acceptable product that provided the highest overall value, and thus consolidated their purchasing to one vendor. The result? Members have realized $3.45 million in total savings. As an added benefit, they achieved quality patient results via the innovative technology provided in the product selected. TPC Members have increased patient compliance to 97%, which has also led to increased reimbursement. This initiative was a success due to a high level of physician engagement, thought leadership, and peer discussion.

“When the CMR initiative was first brought to the Cardiology CVAT for consideration, there was much hesitation from the members – myself included. In the past, we had accomplished many successful initiatives, but none compared to this one. Working together alongside our physicians, we engaged in the evaluation process and made a selection we believed would provide the most value to the membership – and it has paid off significantly through the savings we have achieved. It is a true testament to what we can accomplish as a group when we put aside individual preferences and collaborate for the good of TPC as a whole,” explained Lisa Green, Director of Cardiology Services at United Regional Health Care System.

By working through a collaborative and committed model, TPC provides the framework for independent, community-based hospitals to achieve system value through standardization. TPC benefits both hospitals and patients—and provides significant cost savings. Stronger Together. Superior Results.

Read more at tpc1.com

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

dock scheduling
C3 Solutions Boosts Delivery Speed Through Intelligent Dock Scheduling and Yard Automation
April 28, 2025

Logistics networks continue to grow more complex as supply chains race to meet rising ecommerce demand. As of 2024, 80% of consumers expect retailers to offer same-day delivery, with 30% anticipating this service to be free. This pressure is pushing supply chain operators to modernize traditionally overlooked segments like yard management and dock scheduling….

Read More
trucking
The People Business: Keep on Truckin’ & Earning A Good Income
April 28, 2025

In this Career Paths episode of The AppleOne Podcast, host Brett Howroyd explores the essential—and often underestimated—world of trucking with two guests who know it well: Chip Stewart, VP of Service Operations at Select Transportation Resources in Houston, and Jill Apperson, Area Manager at AppleOne in North Carolina. Together, they break down why trucking…

Read More
england veteran series
Honoring Service Through Sport: The New England Veteran Series
April 25, 2025

The New England PGA REACH Foundation is opening new doors for veterans with its inspiring New England Veteran Series. Designed exclusively for those who have served, this golf tour offers competitive opportunities at premier courses across New England, blending the spirit of service with the love of the game. Veterans will not only sharpen their…

Read More
Education R&D
Will the New Education R&D Bill Spark the Innovation Schools Desperately Need?
April 25, 2025

In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, aimed at revolutionizing how the U.S. invests in education innovation. The bill proposes a new National Center for Advanced Development in Education—akin to DARPA but for schools—within the Institute for…

Read More