Global Healthcare Exchange Tests Its Online Supply Purchasing System
Global Healthcare Exchange Inc., the online medical exchange launched last year by suppliers such as Johnson & Johnson, Baxter and GE Medical Systems, has signed up 200 hospitals nationwide to try out its online exchange system and expects to begin distributing its software to individual users within the next few weeks, the Denver Post reports. Intended to "fundamentally change" the way hospitals purchase supplies, the "online marketplace" will sell and market products to hospitals from about 60 suppliers. While the exchange is intended to replace "bureaucracy and outdated systems," the health care industry is approaching the system "cautiously," according to the Post. Elaine Callas, chief information officer for the Colorado hospital system Centura Health, said, "We're slow to do anything quickly -- it's one of the diseases we suffer from." Centura has agreed only to test the system before deciding whether to fully roll it out to its hospitals. But Callas added, "If we plan it correctly, it has a great chance for success" (Beauprez, Denver Post, 3/5).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.