Engaging Clinicians in Product Design, Ownership Through Private Label Products

Kim Goldman feels ownership in Regard™. Launched three years ago by ROi, the private label brand helps providers source high-quality products at a lower cost than well-known commercial brands. Regard™ has reached more than $12 million in annual sales and 600 SKUs within Mercy.

"It's our product," explains Goldman, Nurse Manager, Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City. "We validate the product to ensure it is clinically acceptable and safe, and take pride in placing the Regard™ name on what we use."

Goldman participates in Mercy's Core Nursing Service Line, which meets regularly to review products being considered by ROi's Integrated Sourcing Solutions team. The team works directly with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), versus third-party intermediaries, to produce private label products of equal or higher quality to their name brand counterparts. The line consists of basic wound care, cold therapy products, IV tubing sets, sterilization supplies and other frequently purchased clinical commodity and commodity items.

ROi works with clinicians on a validation process that provides the opportunity to participate directly in the product selection, design or re-design to meet their needs.

"We participate in a collaborative process that gives the end user confidence in the products we select," adds Goldman. "It provides us with ownership in the brand. This process also gives clinicians a voice early on in the decision making."

Additionally, Regard™ products drive cost savings by aligning the sourcing strategy with other components of ROi's supply chain model, such as the Consolidated Services Center (CSC) , a 100,000-square-foot facility that provides a single ship point and storage for manufacturers.

"As a nurse, I see real value in the cost savings in using our own brand," shares Goldman. "It's important to me to know that the savings stay within our health care system versus spending more dollars for the same products with a well-known brand."