We prefer to work with individual reps than a faceless Internet vendor. But occasionally I will compare prices offered with Internet-based vendors and use these prices to negotiate better prices with our sales reps."

Gerald I. Falke, DPM
Medical Director, Long Meadows ASC
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Keep your supplies in as few locations and in the smallest quantities possible. Every area doesn't need 20 of each item."

Maggie Johnson, RN, CNOR
Director, Center for Outpatient Surgery
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Keep an eye on the calendar. Save on supplies by placing large purchase orders between Christmas and New Year's and around the time of major conferences and trade shows because companies are often eager to move excess inventory and are more likely to have demo products (such as IV poles and stainless steel tables) they want to replace for future demonstrations."

Nancy Jo Vinson, BA, RN
Administrator and Vice President, West VA Surgery Center, Inc.
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Our staff has access to all our supply prices. Occasionally, we publish a list of supplies and post them at the scrub sink."

Pay attention to what you're being charged. I found out we were being overcharged for a year. Now we have a spreadsheet, which we check to make sure we are getting the proper price from our buying group."

Christine Therrien, RN
Administrator, Brookside Surgery Center
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Vendors have a tendency to overcharge on shipping charges. I negotiate free shipping with many of my vendors and double check all of my shipping charges. I go online with FedEx and UPS to check the charges and dispute any that are out of line."

Chris Holmes
Purchasing Manager, Oregon Eye Surgery Center
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Enlist a cost-conscious staff member to talk to other staff members and surgeons about standardizing and economizing."

I have found that success comes when you include your staff and surgeons in the facility's finances."

Patricia Lambert, MSN, RN
Consultant, LRGHealthcare
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Although competition among supply distributors is good, standardizing your supplies saves time and money. We are a high-volume orthopedic surgery center. So the company that wins our business will see a lot of product movement. The best product with the best pricing wins. It also helps to be aware that most reps have a 7 to15 percent profit window with which they are able to negotiate."

Develop a relationship with and work hand-in-hand with a purchasing agent in your institution who knows you and your department."

Annie Knotts, RN
Perioperative Manager, Sewickley Valley Hospital
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Address your surgeons' concerns before doing any supply changes. Work with your them to find an acceptable product within your contract, and trial the product before making the switch."

Watch the schedule closely to determine your facility's case mix before ordering, so as not to overstock items that are not currently being used."

Cindy Sponseller
Operations Manager, Aultman North
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