Idea Exchange: Consolidated Services Centers (CSCs) Forum

Session Leader: Michael Langlois

In recent years, hospitals and health systems have looked at possible ways to strengthen their operations and reduce the complexity within their healthcare distribution systems. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit, these challenges were no longer possible to ignore, and strategies had to be developed. For some, Consolidated Services Centers (CSCs) have been adopted to combat this complexity and achieve high levels of performance and innovation. Join us in an open-forum discussion on some of the lingering issues we’re seeing within the healthcare industry, and how CSCs are being used to solve them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the major challenges that have impacted your healthcare distribution system pre- and post-pandemic.
2. Compare various strategies that have been used to combat the complexities in managing healthcare distribution.
3. Develop an understanding of how Consolidated Services Centers are being used to achieve high levels of performance across the healthcare industry.
4. Outline strategies for determining the most viable solutions for your healthcare distribution and operations teams.

Idea Exchange: CSCs Warehouse Construction 

Session Leader: Michael Langlois

In an effort to minimize spending and improve the healthcare distribution process, many hospitals and health systems have chosen to take matters into their own hands with self-distribution through CSCs. Of course, there are countless considerations to be measured before implementing a CSC into your supply chain distribution system. One of the key areas to focus on will be the construction of your distribution warehouse. Join this discussion that will cover all areas of consideration when implementing a CSC into your system and how to best facilitate the construction of your warehouse.

Learning Objectives:

1. Classify the key areas of analysis when evaluating your CSC construction needs.
2. Outline strategies for evaluating what services will be housed within your CSC and how they will determine various construction decisions.
3. Determine best practices for evaluating the complex real estate considerations of your CSC construction.
4. Evaluate the various pros and cons of self vs. 3rd party-operated systems and determine how these will factor into construction needs for your facility.

Comprehensive Insights into Consolidated Services Centers 

Moderator: Michael Langlois

Presenters: Jamie Kowalski & Lorcan Sheehan

Join Jamie Kowalski and Lorcan Sheehan as they present their latest (2021) edition of their annual research on the development of CSCs within the healthcare supply chain. Dive into the key findings of the 2021 Survey including direct insights on the advantages and challenges to self-distribution along with analysis of how CSCs operations impacted COVID-19 preparedness.

Learning Objectives:

1. Outline the key findings of the 2021 Survey.
2. Evaluate the advantages of the CSCs model during the pandemic.
3. Identify strategies for improving the CSCs model to face the challenges COVID presented.
4. Determine major trends in the development of healthcare supply chains and CSCs models.

A Survey of Gartner's Top 25 Supply Chains 

Moderator: Michael Langlois

Panelists: Ed Hiscock, Dennis Mullins & Tim Nedley

Each year, Gartner ranks the leading healthcare supply chains into a Top 25 Healthcare Supply Chains ranking. Join Michael Langlois and leaders from this group of health systems as they discuss the challenges this group of healthcare leaders have confronted in managing their CSC. He recently completed a survey comprised of these leaders and will discuss the findings during this session. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss how the shared experiences of the panel align with the results of the Gartner survey. 
2. Identify the differences between each panelist as they describe their CSCs model and how it performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Examine the supply chain participants that lacked in their performance during the pandemic (i.e., government agencies, GPOs, and distributors).​​​​​
4. Determine the benefits in collaborating with other CSCs and how to best establish those relationships.

An Idea Exchange on Consolidated Services Centers 

Moderator: Michael Langlois

Panelists: Jamie Kowalski & Lorcan Sheehan

Join us as we facility an idea exchange between the researchers and audience members as they reflect on the insights from the first two sessions. Engage in an interactive discussion to shed light on any questions or experiences you’ve had when dealing with consolidated service centers. Take advantage of this opportunity to understand how the healthcare supply chain is developing to align with the changes we’re seeing throughout the healthcare industry.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify recurring trends from both surveys and the panel discussion. 
2. Evaluate how these trends will impact you as a provider, GPO, distributor, or supplier. 
3. Determine the underlying effects COVID-19 had on the supply chain delivery system.
4. Analyze the operational changes that will remain in a post-pandemic environment.