CHSS hospitals have adopted the fundamental strategy that they will regionally align Sourcing activities and work with a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO). Our primary GPO is HealthPRO. They help health care facilities provide quality patient care with their offerings.
CHSS also collaborates with EORLA. The Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association Inc. is the most advanced laboratory transformation project in the province. As a network of 16 hospitals in the Champlain region, EORLA is a regional, integrated hospital laboratory services system. EORLA has service agreements with and relies on the Purchasing Services provided by their largest member, The Ottawa Hospital, for the negotiation and procurement of standardized laboratory contracts.
When our major GPO does not offer agreements in specific commodities, CHSS hospitals might participate in tenders with other organizations. Collaborative procurement with other sourcing organizations such as SSO's, streamlines the competitive procurement process and increases savings opportunities by consolidating spend. CHSS has investigated collaborating with the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM) which is willing to open their contracts to Ontario hospitals. BPS organizations such as hospitals also have access to the Ministry of Government Services VOR. Lastly, CHSS hospitals might participate with the CPC (OHA Capital Procurement Cooperative) which leverages the power of collaboration for capital equipment acquisitions, or with St. Joseph's Health System Group Purchasing Organization for similar capital purchases initiatives.
At the present time, some of these initiatives are out of scope for CHSS but they could be addressed by the CHSS Operation Committee it they help our hospitals gain financial and other efficiencies.