Manufacturing Magazine June 2023 | Page 63

Partnering with Specialty Networks for Improved Patient Care

Specialty Networks , partnered with United Urology Group since 2013 , enhancing practice performance through data , events , and group purchasing support .
Specialty Networks is the parent organisation of companies including group purchasing organisation UroGPO , of which United Urology Group is a member .
Specialty Networks has presence in multiple specialties
As a multi-specialist organisation , Specialty Networks has deployed GPOs in urology , gastroenterology , and rheumatology , alongside a robust data analytics platform ( PPS Analytics ) and also a research arm . The latter supports members like United Urology in conducting research inside their practices , with a data analytics arm to support practices while addressing gaps in care .
“ The GPO establishes best-in-class purchasing agreements with manufacturers in areas including pharmaceuticals , services , and medical devices ,” Darren Dieleman , Senior Vice President at Specialty Networks , says . “ We ’ re aggregating not just United Urology Group , but also the other 720 urology practices across the country into one buying group , then negotiating value-added programs with manufacturers to support the individual members .”
The partnership with United Urology Group
“ What ’ s unique about the relationship between United Urology Group and Specialty Networks
via UroGPO is the fact that we share the common customer of our physician practices ,” explains David Forbes , the Vice President of Supply Chain Management for United Urology Group . Alongside the benefits of the GPO , United Urology Group also utilises PPS Analytics – the data analytics arm of Specialty Networks – to streamline and identify potential gaps in patient care .
“ We also run customised educational events at their individual pods and a series of live events across the country ,” Dieleman explains . “ We ’ re running a summit for United Urology in May to allow their practices , many acquired during the pandemic , to come together to establish longterm goals and objectives , network , and attend educational podium sessions .”
What ’ s next for the partnership ?
“ Live events , purchasing , reporting – there ’ s a much larger strategy ahead of us to help United Urology Group achieve in aggregate what they wanted to achieve individually as independent practices ,” says Dieleman .
Specialty Networks and United Urology are moving forward with a hands-on approach to continually bettering themselves , the practices , and , therefore , patient care .
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