(Moncton) December 18, 2014 - New standardized processes for ordering supplies and using equipment in hospital operating rooms (OR) will save Horizon Health Network (Horizon) $600,000 this year.   

An internal process improvement team discovered variations in cost between the four major operating rooms within Horizon. The team targeted cost reductions in supplies and instrument use where a significant proportion of OR spending occurs. 

These savings were identified through a process-improvement initiative in collaboration with FacilicorpNB as part of a Lean Six Sigma project, which uses data to drive improvement decisions and to sustain the change within Horizon.   

"Horizon is focused on ensuring money is being spent effectively and efficiently," said Geri Geldart, Vice President Clinical for Horizon Health Network. "This project is a perfect example of how making smart, efficient purchases for supplies and instruments can have a big impact on the bottom line."

The new standardized processes cover areas such as sourcing, purchasing, reporting, inventory management, tracking and equipment reprocessing. 

Savings from this initiative are part of the provincial government's established goal to achieve a per capital health-care cost equal to the Canadian average by fiscal 2016-2017. 

New Brunswick currently spends $4,093 per person on health care, approximately $223 per person more than the national average (from June 2013 stats). The savings for each area are:

• Fredericton $131,427
• Miramichi $67,406
• Moncton $145,374
• Saint John $256,804

Horizon is looking to implement this process within other departments within the organization for further future savings. 

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For more information contact:

Carolyn McCormack, APR
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
Media@HorizonNB.ca
www.HorizonNB.ca