AHRMM, HIDA, and HIGPA Release Disaster
Supply Formulary

CHICAGO, February 26, 2003 - The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) recently released the results of a landmark, cooperative project that provides a blueprint for planning and coordinating medical and surgical supplies for hospitals in the case of a large-scale chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CRBNE) or natural disaster.  The blueprints, or “supply formularies”, for disaster readiness were created by AHRMM, the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA), and the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA) in response to the ongoing issue of readiness.

“Healthcare institutions face a variety of planning challenges from having enough critical supplies, to keeping supplies fresh, to working with suppliers to obtain the necessary items as needed, and having the right supplies on-hand for each specific type of CBRNE,” explained Al Cook, immediate past president of AHRMM and co-chair of the disaster readiness task force. “This formulary shows the real value of supply chain management working together  in a voluntary, collaborative effort."

Supply formularies are based on information from multiple hospitals and healthcare systems. Intended as benchmarks for supply preparedness, the formularies can be customized to fit the needs of each hospital and community by working with internal staff and suppliers.

"These formularies were developed through true collaboration within the medical supply chain, and they will enable hospitals, purchasers, and distributors to deliver the best quality care and supplies for the treatment of patients," said Matt Rowan, HIDA CEO and president.

"The unique position of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) allows them to communicate directly with hospitals and other health care providers to facilitate the planning and coordination of supplies in the event of a 'large scale' public health tragedy,” said HIGPA President and CEO Robert Betz, Ph.D. “We are honored to be a part of this important and unprecedented initiative to serve patients who will ultimately be impacted in the event of such disasters."

The formularies focus on adult and pediatric patient needs and provide a targeted supply formulary for each of the CBRNE events. It should be noted that the formularies do not cover radiology or pharmacy.  Those departments should have input and involvement in the planning process and make amendments to these formularies at the hospital level.

For more information on supply formularies, please visit  www.ahrmm.org or www.hidanetwork.com.

About AHRMM
The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management is the leading national association for executives in the healthcare resource and materials management profession.  A personal membership group of the American Hospital Association, the AHRMM serves more than 3,000 active members.  Founded in 1962, AHRMM prepares its members to contribute to the field and advance the profession through networking, education, recognition, and advocacy. Please visit www.ahrmm.org for more information.

About HIDA
The Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) is the international trade association representing medical products distributors. Since 1902, HIDA has provided leadership in the healthcare distribution industry. From education programs and benchmarking studies to business tools and resources, HIDA ensures that members have the business and industry information they need to perform profitably in today’s complex healthcare supply chain.

About HIGPA
HIGPA is a chartered trade association of approximately 170 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.