Utilization projects in healthcare value analysis strive to answer several essential questions.  How are the specific products used? How should these products be used? What might cause misuse? Is there variation in product, practice, or both? Ultimately, utilization specifically addresses the practice and not necessarily the product. When an organization looks more closely at utilization, the savings that result can be sustainable. 

Here are the top 3 reasons Blue.Point utilization savings are sustainable over conventional savings strategies.

1. Utilization savings are not contract-dependent. As contracts and tier levels change or organization obligations shift, savings garnered by utilization projects are unaffected. The tenant of utilization centers around the clinical effectiveness of a product type and not necessarily a specific product.

2. Utilization savings become part of an organization’s clinical practice. When reviewing utilization opportunities, best practice is to establish and educate staff on ‘criteria for use.’ This is especially important for high-dollar supplies and/or supplies with specific indications for use set forth by manufacturers. As these criteria become part of the organization’s practice and protocol, utilization is sustained.

3. Utilization savings are centered around clinical quality and guidelines. As Value Analysis teams execute on their strategic plans, changes made to clinical practice are based on solid clinical evidence. Only when this evidence changes through research or the guidance of organizations, such as Infusion Nurses Society (INS) or Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), should utilization change.

If you want to learn more about utilization and how Blue.Point can identify these opportunities, please reach out to info@bluepointscs.com.