healthcare value analysis
By Susan Toomey , BS , CVAHP , CMRP
Collaborating and Embracing Value Analysis
Regardless of the current condition of healthcare , collaboration is vital , but in recent months , a broader viewpoint for sharing tasks and cooperatively working together to maximize expertise and complimentary talents has risen . Many people believe that the pandemic improved teamwork among healthcare colleagues , providers and suppliers , but for value analysis professionals , collaboration is a skill they embrace to assure success of the value analysis process .
As defined by the Association for Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals ( AHVAP ), value analysis professionals are primary coordinators who facilitate products , services , equipment , and practice changes and oversee the value analysis process and drive decisions within their organizations . Value analysis professionals are key collaborators and primary educators of the value analysis process , bringing together their organizations ’ stakeholders and suppliers . Value analysis professionals have come a long way in their profession , from “ What is it that you exactly do ?” to “ Can you please help with this request ?” The Value Analysis Four Foundational Pillars : Governance and Structure , Methodology , Professionalism and Business Ethics , and Finance are the key principles to the process that promote value analysis teamwork . A value analysis professional embraces communication skills and fosters key collaboration when carrying out their primary responsibilities of the value analysis process by :
• Identifying a need / opportunity ( long-term thinking )
• Gathering data ( debating )
• Analyzing evidence ( organizing )
• Evaluating ( open-mindedness )
• Implementing ( adaptability )
• Monitoring decisions ( communicating )
A value analysis team member who understands their roles and responsibilities , who can put their professional and personal feelings aside , and feels valued , will likely increase their team ’ s success . The key elements to a successful team include trust , confidence , the ability to overcome adversity and personal differences , along with supportive leadership . In 2020-2021 , these key team elements are challenged , tested , and embraced but bringing together key stakeholders , colleagues , and suppliers are for the safety and benefit of patients and healthcare communities .
In addition to internal teams , value analysis enhances value through external relationships with professional organizations and industry suppliers to create meaningful collaborations . Supply chain staff are part of value analysis , bringing forth the critical key business factors associated with supplier relationships . This process includes assessing and vetting the supplier base to decide on potential relationships , aligning team resources to meet the needs of supplier relationships , and identifying and monitoring key performance indicators associated with current and future business practices . These specific relationships develop over time through team collaborations where transparent information gets reviewed and discussed to strengthen business practices . Therefore , when value analysis teams make decisions , supplier
relationships are incorporated into the overall value proposition assessment for quality , cost , and outcomes .
Beginning in 2021 , AHVAP embraced collaboration beyond the traditional value analysis base by forming a Healthcare Industry Advisory Council ( HIAC ) whose primary objective is to help establish inclusivity of healthcare interconnected organizations and subject matter experts beyond traditional value analysis . The goal is to infuse value analysis principles into everyday healthcare decision making while enhancing AHVAP members ’ effectiveness in understanding the critical needs to meet high-quality patient outcomes . Through marketing and communication of these opportunities , AHVAP welcomes new members from across the healthcare industry .
At a more local level , HIAC has responsibilities for developing relationships with AHVAP ’ s district representatives and regional directors to help support events and activities to exchange leading practices and strengthen networking where providers and patients work and live . They will also identify educational collaborative opportunities , promote and carry out strategies to enhance and foster AHVAP ’ s strategic goals , and assure strong collaboration within the AHVAP committees , workgroups and task forces .
AHVAP has also recently refocused all its committees by collaborating monthly to report the status of goals and achievements and suggest other programs . Therefore , by designing directives that include sharing monthly performance metrics toward established goals , it has brought about a cohesive working relationship across AHVAP to prioritize and strategize , to achieve its mission .
Although 2020-2021 has re-prioritized healthcare relationships , it has also brought about work-changing opportunities to enhance the quality and delivery of healthcare by building the collaborative bridge of professional experience and knowledge base . New relationship opportunities will continue to flourish , benefiting growth and development , while collaboration has forever changed our working relationships and organizational cultures .
We are excited for the Association for Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals ( AHVAP ) annual conference on Oct . 27-29 , 2021 in Scottsdale , Ariz . as members and industry affiliates collaborate in person since 2019 . This year ’ s AHVAP conference theme , “ 360 ° Change : Developing a Resilient Culture ,” was inspired from AHVAP ’ s dedicated voluntary committee members to reflect upon all healthcare professionals , clinical and non-clinical , locally , nationally and globally and who risk their everyday lives to assure quality patient care in these unprecedented and uncertain times . If you are unable to attend the conference this year , there is always an opportunity to join this amazing professional healthcare industry organization to collaborate with peers , colleagues , and industry affiliate members or to get involved with an AHVAP Committee by reaching out to www . ahvap . org .
Susan Toomey , BS , CVAHP , CMRP , is currently president of AHVAP as well as senior value analysis coordinator at Lehigh Valley Health Network .