When thinking about medical supply spend, big-ticket or life-saving items are usually top-of-mind. While some of your peers may overlook labels, a savvy purchasing manager knows how using your GPO for these necessary tools can make a significant difference in your bottom line. Switching to Caresfield labels is quick, easy and can save you 10-20 percent off your current spend.
What’s standing between you and these savings? Let’s look at some common myths about converting to Caresfield labels.
Myth: I need to change my hardware or software to use Caresfield Labels
Nope! Our labels are a high quality, drop-in replacement. We have solutions that work with your printers and hospital information system. You won’t have to change any of your existing processes.
No matter which labels you use right now, we can match the size, shape and roll your printers use. It’s an easy replacement and you’ll enjoy the cost savings and stability that come with working with your GPO.
Myth: It Takes a Long Time to Convert
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to convert to Caresfield labels. We do all the legwork for you! First, we need to know what kinds of labels and printers you currently use. To ensure we have a perfect match, we’ll need to collect samples of your current stock. These commonly come from the admissions, lab and pharmacy departments. If you can’t collect the samples, we’re happy to schedule a visit from one of our Certified Healthcare Label Technicians (CHLT).
Hosting a CHLT is a straightforward way to start your conversion. Our technician will visit your admissions, laboratory and pharmacy departments to gather all the necessary samples. Each stop will only take a couple minutes and won’t disrupt your operations. In addition, there’s no need for our techs to meet with any members of your purchasing team.
Once we have the samples, we’ll find a perfect match for your equipment. Our subject matter experts ensure your labels and ID bands print right the first time, every time. We’ll even send you free samples so you can evaluate the quality for yourself.
Related:6 Tips for a Headache-Free ID Band and Label Conversion
Myth: Another Vendor Has a Better Price
We’ve often found customers who want to stay contract compliant with their GPO, but another vendor undercuts our price and locks in a multiyear commitment. We all like saving money, but have you considered the sacrifices you make to secure that price?
First, there are many hidden costs to using inferior labels. If the adhesive doesn’t work right, your labels can fall off. This can cause many issues, from discarding samples to misidentifying patients or medication. Most importantly, this poses a risk to your patients. It can also lead to spending additional time and resources collecting new samples.
Then you must consider the incentives offered by your GPO. Many agreements include free shipping. By locking into a contract with another vendor for several years, you could lose any savings on the price of labels to higher freight costs. Think of how much that could cost you as freight costs skyrocket due to supply chain issues this year!
In addition to paying freight costs, most GPOs also offer rebates for contract compliance. Not only could your total cost be higher, but you could also be losing out on an additional revenue stream by agreeing to a long-term contract.
Finally, Caresfield labels are made at our headquarters in Minnesota. This helps eliminate supply chain issues and shipping delays. We ship in-stock orders placed by 2 p.m. the same day. You never need to worry about shipping delays or border processing.
Myth: We Have Too Many Items to Convert
When Caresfield puts together a cross reference of all the labels your hospital or care facility currently uses, the line-item report can be overwhelming. The truth is many departments often make small one-off purchases from a variety of vendors. This can clutter your system with thousands of item numbers.
For many GPO contracts, you need to make 90 percent of your purchases from a preferred vendor to achieve compliance. When it comes to labels, that could be as few as five to 10 items. Start with your main charting labels and wristbands. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to reach the 90 percent threshold.
Fact: It’s Easy to Get Started!
Ready to get started? Our Certified Healthcare Label Technicians can give you an idea about how much you could save by switching to Caresfield labels.
Converting to Caresfield is a great way to get your entire time on the same page. Any of your departments can set up their own online account and order any of your standard items. Learn more about our online ordering process. This helps clinicians and departments manage supplies efficiently and can help foster buy-in for the overall purchasing process.
Fact: Caresfield Offers the Best Continued Support
In addition to making it easy to convert to Caresfield labels, we give you continued support so you can focus on other supply issues. One of the biggest benefits of working with Caresfield and a GPO is having a dedicated rep who can help you navigate any issues. With Caresfield, we’ll assign you a key account manager who will answer questions and make sure you are getting the most out of your labels.
In addition to your rep, live people answer our phone and respond to the live chat feature on our website. Our knowledgeable team is happy to help!
Converting to Caresfield labels is an easy way to improve your bottom line. We hope you are ready to get started today!
