ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the picture of the IMD Spiderweb, some of the financial and clinical quality challenges it creates, and how its repercussions are representative of other downstream and deeply rooted cost and quality challenges faced by the healthcare industry as a whole. All of these aspects we have covered so far tie together to make it difficult for all of the other participants to assess their position in the Spiderweb, quantify the clinical/financial impact, and develop appropriate enterprise-wide strategies to change this ecosystem. Healthcare supply chain associations already exist that have been formed to address supply chain management and professional issues. However, GPOs and IMD manufacturers heavily influence many of these supply chain organizations, and as a result, they control the narrative and the agenda. Suppliers have long argued that they will give GPOs the best pricing associated with their health system member's compliance to volumes purchased.
