Marshal Cezary Przybylski, Deputy Marshal Marcin Krzyżanowski and representatives of the Management Board of Dolnośląskie Centrum Medyczne DOLMED S.A. summed up the first stage of the project. “Healthcare facilities that joined the specially established Group Purchasing Organization were able to jointly purchase the supplies they needed on an ongoing basis: personal protective equipment. This accelerated the order fulfillment and delivery process, which is important to us, especially during the pandemic. Joint purchasing is also a necessary measure that will enable healthcare facilities to achieve savings,” said C. Przybylski.
So far, 18 healthcare providers from Lower Silesia have joined the Group Purchasing Organization, from Wrocław, Wałbrzych, Jelenia Góra, Bolesławiec, Czarny Bór, Kamienna Góra, Lubiąż, Sokołowsko and Złotoryja. Medical institutions interested in participating in the project may apply to join its subsequent stages.
“Establishing the Group Purchasing Organization was one of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of my term. Our first experience has shown that the group can bring tangible benefits. In the first stage of the project, we achieved savings of nearly 400,000 zlotys. This proves that joint purchasing is worthwhile. The healthcare system must be viewed broadly, which is why our Group Purchasing Organization is open to various entities. We invite not only marshal-operated hospitals to cooperate, but also municipal and county hospitals, social welfare homes, and care and treatment facilities,” emphasized Deputy Marshal Marcin Krzyżanowski.
Work on implementing the project began in September last year. First, members of the Group Purchasing Organization ordered personal protective equipment: FFP2 and FFP3 protective half-masks, surgical masks, face shields, protective coveralls, shoe covers and protective gloves. Thanks to integrated purchasing, the healthcare providers saved nearly 400,000 zlotys gross compared with market prices.
“By cooperating with other healthcare providers, we are working to develop solutions that will deliver tangible savings in routine purchasing, secure better purchasing terms, and implement lasting and effective mechanisms for the delivery of goods and services. We believe that by acting together in this area and creating synergies between our efforts, we can have a real impact on improving both the financial condition of healthcare units and their operating standards,” stated Piotr Wiczkowski, President of DCM DOLMED S.A.
New suppliers and new offers dedicated to the medical industry continue to appear on the market. However, the recent circumstances related to the COVID-19 epidemic showed that even such basic supplies as personal protective equipment can become expensive and scarce. Joint orders may provide an excellent starting point for standardizing supplies and generating savings.
“As many as 18 Lower Silesian healthcare providers accepted the invitation to participate in the first stage of the project—that is, the pilot project—involving the establishment of a Group Purchasing Organization for personal protective equipment (COVID-19). They secured not only favorable prices, but also 60-day payment terms and free delivery,” added Marcin Lerner, Vice President of DCM DOLMED S.A.
UMWD:
In view of the positive outcome of the first stage of the project, representatives of the Lower Silesian Regional Government and the Management Board of DCM DOLMED S.A. will meet again in the coming days with representatives of healthcare providers and organizations working to protect public health to discuss the next stages of the project and opportunities for joining the cooperation.