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Navigating vendor consolidation in healthcare: Key considerations

  • Healthcare IT seeks efficiency and patient care improvements, but balancing multiple technology vendors can hinder operational and organizational progress and patient experiences.
  • Robust clinical communication and collaboration platforms are vital, and consolidating vendors offers benefits like streamlined IT and better patient care.
  • Key consolidation factors: assess current vendors, align with goals, ensure data integration, evaluate vendor capabilities, manage change, and plan for long-term adaptability.

Hospitals and healthcare systems are always on the lookout for ways to streamline operations so they can take better care of their patients. But, dealing with many different technology vendors all at once can adversely affect productivity, lead to staff frustration, and compromise the quality of the patient experience. Enter the clinical communication and collaboration (CC&C) platform. These platforms aren’t just about staff communicating in real-time, or working better together. These feature-rich, unified platforms can help hospitals and healthcare systems consolidate vendors to streamline their communication processes.

Here are 6 tips to keep in mind when considering vendor consolidation:

1. Assess the current vendor landscape 

Before embarking on a vendor consolidation plan, it’s crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of your current vendor environment. Evaluate the range of services, technologies, and solutions your organization uses and identify redundancies, gaps, and areas where consolidation could lead to operational improvements.

2. Align with organizational goals

Consider how vendor consolidation aligns with your organization’s strategic objectives. Determine whether the consolidation will support key goals such as cost reduction, improved patient outcomes, enhanced data interoperability, or streamlined administrative processes. The consolidation strategy should directly contribute to achieving these objectives.

3. Impact on data integration and interoperability

Ensure the solutions seamlessly integrate with your existing electronic health record (EHR) system and other critical healthcare technologies. Efficient data sharing among systems is essential for providing comprehensive patient care and making informed decisions.

Related blog post: Integration vs. interoperability: What’s the difference? >>

4. Vendor capabilities and expertise

Evaluate the capabilities and expertise of the vendors you’re considering. Review their track record in the healthcare IT industry, technological innovation, and ability to provide comprehensive solutions that address your specific challenges. And don’t forget customer service. Having a robust support team that is in tune with your needs is critical.

5. Change management and stakeholder engagement

Vendor consolidation can bring about significant changes in your organization’s workflows and processes, and effective change management is essential to ensure a smooth transition. Engage key stakeholders, including clinicians, administrative staff, IT teams, and patients, to gather insights, address concerns, and communicate the benefits of consolidation.

6. Long-term scalability and flexibility

Assess the long-term scalability and flexibility of the consolidated vendor solutions. Will they accommodate your organization’s growth and evolving healthcare needs? Consider the vendor’s ability to adapt to technological advancements and industry changes to ensure a sustainable partnership.

What are the benefits of vendor consolidation?

Consolidating technology vendors to streamline and simplify IT infrastructure can help achieve the following: 

  • Enhance patient care
  • Reduce errors
  • Drive better decision-making 
  • Improve operational efficiency
  • Decrease the complexity of vendor management
  • Streamline training and support

Vendor consolidation in healthcare is a multifaceted endeavor that requires careful planning, assessment, and execution. By keeping in mind these key considerations, healthcare organizations can navigate the challenges and complexities of consolidation while reaping many organizational benefits. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, vendor consolidation presents a strategic opportunity to drive positive change and shape the future of healthcare delivery.

Contact the Spok team to learn how the Spok Care Connect® platform and solutions can help your hospital streamline vendor management.

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By Michael Wallace, President and Chief Operating Officer

Michael Wallace was named president of Spok, Inc., a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Spok, in August 2022. He also serves as Spok’s chief operating officer, a role he’s held since January 2020.  Wallace has more than 25 years of experience as a financial executive at both public and private companies. He served as chief financial officer of Spok from March 2017 through July 2022, and was responsible for Spok’s financial operations. He has served as executive/senior vice president and chief financial officer of several private companies in a variety of industries. He has a degree from the University of Notre Dame, and is a certified public accountant.

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