title: The future of the healthcare supply chain.
abstract: To achieve savings in the healthcare supply chain, healthcare organizations need to cooperate instead of compete. By forming a consolidated service center (CSC), healthcare organizations can centralize their contracting, procurement, distribution, and logistical operations. The CSC would enable organizations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
authors.affiliation: VHA Inc., Irving, TX, USA. jparker@vha.com
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: DeLay
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*