Teamwork: DOD clinicians and logisticians support medical standardization Published April 1, 2009 By Virginia Slayton and Dr. Susan Ferguson Tri-Service Regional Standardization Program Office WASHINGTON -- Close teamwork between clinicians and logisticians in the Tri-Service Regional Standardization Program provides the framework for the many successes within the program. This program focuses on standardizing medical and surgical products within a specific geographic DOD region. "Our first priority is to take care of our patients, and the standardization program contributes to quality patient care by providing products that have been evaluated and selected by our local clinicians," said Lt. Col. Priscilla Quackenbush, an Army nurse assigned at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Annually, each DOD region analyzes the medical supply usage data, considers the individual needs of the hospitals and clinics, and reviews the latest safety guidelines from various government and private organizations. This information is used to determine the product groups for standardization. Clinical representatives, who participate as members of the Tri-Service Product Review Board for each region, develop the technical and clinical criteria used to evaluate the products under consideration. Air Force Maj. Nancy Johnson a nurse at the 1st Medical Group at Langley AFB, Va., said, "The relationship between the logisticians and the clinicians in this program supports our service members, their families and beneficiaries by applying a systems method in standardizing products within our facility. Each member of the team contributes their expertise, which results in selecting the best clinical products, procured at the best possible price." Another program benefit is providing a consistent standard of care through efficient supply chain management. As supply chains continue to evolve with e-commerce, improved technology, and enhanced relationships with suppliers, the standardization program assists the Military Treatment Facilities in streamlining their supply chain. The program does this by achieving committed volume pricing, reducing the duplication of similar products, and by minimizing waste and excess supplies. According to Capt. Tereca Benton, an Air Force medical logistician with the 78th Medical Group at Robins AFB, Ga., "The supply chain pathway is an integral ingredient to providing optimal healthcare to our patients. Participating in the standardization program has allowed for improved supply chain efficiencies and responsiveness. Being able to participate as part of the standardization team has been a great experience. "As the standardization process continues to mature, clinical staff members, will begin to recognize their selected standardized products as they transfer from one Medical Group to the next," Benton said. As a Tri-Service program, the synergy that results from the participation of the Air Force, Navy, and Army is one that contributes to the overall mission of the Military Health System. To date, the Tri-Service Regional Standardization Program has standardized over 100 product groups, and has cost avoided over $100 million in supply expenses DOD-wide over the last decade.