Medical supply management is a continuing challenge for many providers, but fortunately many tools are available to help. One example is EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), though surprisingly many medical practices still don’t take advantage of its capabilities. How can EDI help your practice improve efficiencies and save money?
EDI developed years ago as a way to almost instantly transmit orders, invoices and other documents between businesses. Yet EDI is more than just document transmission. Today’s EDI systems can provide the latest pricing and product information from suppliers, so you don’t spend hours on the phone fixing wrong invoices, calling for pricing, and placing orders. Modern EDI systems properly control information and help you build orders correctly the first time.
EDI can be a powerful combination with medical inventory software technology. These programs can monitor item usage in your practice, and let you know when stocks are running low. This prevents costly rush ordering that can lead to wasted money and overstocking. Some software can help you create an EDI order to be sent conveniently to the supplier, so your staff can focus their time on caring for patients. The result is improved efficiency, lower costs, and an improved patient experience.
This should be an easy win, but the key is to pick the right software tool. For instance, Pulse offers EDI integration with leading suppliers such as McKesson, Cardinal, Medline, Graham Field, and Henry Schein. Combined with other powerful functions, such a system could help bring immediate efficiencies to your practice.
Ultimately, EDI's combination of speed and accuracy can produce cost savings that will strengthen your practice. These resources can then help you pursue other initiatives, such as improved outreach to the growing millennial market.
