Integrating Inventory Management into the EHR

Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. (VWHS) started to work on a system in 2015 to better track and understand what was going on with their clinic supplies as well as helping to meet a need in regards to tracking 340B medications. Over the course of the last four years, they've created a system that works inside of their EHR, enables them to 'attach' supplies and medications to a patient via a barcode scanner, and compile data that better allows them to reduce waste and improve patient care. This Clinical Inventory Control System (CLICS) has created tracking and reports for 340B audits, reports for internal usage monitoring, wastage logs, and review of coding and billing for supplies. During its first year, CLICS was able to save VWHS $100,000 by reducing overstock, limiting wastage, and causing some changes to supply ordering practices. In addition, the external 340B auditor has been impressed with the reporting available from the system and lauded it as a best practice.