This non-compliance is costing facilities thousands of dollars.

The past couple of weeks I have had an unusually high number of consulting request that have resulted in contracts that were not being fulfilled compliant to their content. This non-compliance was costing the facilities thousands of dollars.

Let me give you a recent example from a hospital in the middle of the state who had an overabundance of oxygen tanks throughout their facility. This was not only taking up valuable real estate, and making the full tanks hard to find and hard to get too for the already over tasked staff, but keeping the facility from being JCAHO compliant.

The Oxygen vendor provided service every Monday morning, replacing the used tanks but rarely taking all of the old tanks; because the service vehicle did not have the room for them and still make deliveries. The delivery was always a full order, despite the need. At times; the facility was even charged for tanks missing from the vendor.

This simple service has turned into a major headache and a bottleneck with the tanks that are keeping the staff from completing their core competency of patient care.

The solution was in the vendors contract that was signed years ago, out of date and filed away. The billing kept coming and so did the service so no one reviewed the contract that stated the vendor was to service the facility three times a week. This was even spelled out in the contract, to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as to, get this, “prevent congestion in the hallways and defined storage areas”.

So, before you call me, please take a few minutes to review your vendor contracts. I think you will be shocked at what you'll find, or what your vendors are getting away with. Or you can have me review them for you. Remember my consultations are free; I only charge 10% of the money I save you, or 10% of the money I make you.

I feel comfortable enough with my clients to share this. I know season is rapidly upon us so I will do my best to get to each of you.