title: Vendors: part of the supply chain solution.
abstract: St. Joseph Health System in Bryan, Texas, recently undertook a formal performance improvement process in which vendors were treated as partners rather than adversaries. The health system established three systemwide initiatives-vendor summit, a vendor of the year award, and a vendor survey-to improve vendor relationships. Engaging vendors in dialogue to help reduce supply costs ultimately helped St. Joseph save nearly $8 million within just six months.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph Health System, Bryan, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lacy
authors.forename: Walton A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Justice
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D013781:Texas