Connecticut Hospital Association Shared Services Program (CHA SSP) is a program of Diversified Network Services, Inc. (DNS), which is an affiliate of Connecticut Hospital Association.

YEARS OF OPERATION:

The CHA Shared Services Program, one of the oldest programs in the United States, has been in existence since 1964. In 1977, CHA SSP expanded the scope of its services to include many shared services programs.

Originally named Connecticut Health Institutional Services (CHIS) Materials Management Program, the name was later changed to Diversified Network Services (DNS) Shared Services Program and most recently to Connecticut Hospital Association Shared Services Program (CHA SSP). This latest name change capitalizes on our relationship with CHA, which is one of the largest, most progressive hospital associations in the United States.

MISSION STATEMENT:

CHA SSP is a regional Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) based in New England, servicing all six New England states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. CHA SSP is committed to providing its members with the best quality, pricing and service available, while maintaining a voluntary compliance program. In a highly regulated health care environment, the voluntary compliance program offers participating members the flexibility and freedom to select those programs that meet their specific needs. Members are not required to pay dues or fees to participate in the program.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES:

CHA SSP offers a broad range of traditional products in Group Purchasing areas, including Medical/Surgical, Laboratory, Food Services, Pharmacy, Facilities, Purchasing, and Radiology. Other products and services available include Telepharmacy Services; Advance Directives Registry System; Pre-Employment Screening; Patient Satisfaction Surveys; Physician Recruitment; and Interim Manager Placement. In addition, our relationship with the hospital association offers CHA SSP members access to insurance programs, consulting services, and educational opportunities.

GROUP SIZE/GEOGRAPHY:

The CHA SSP membership includes hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, radiology centers, long term/extended care facilities, physician groups, home health care organizations, independent retail pharmacies and a variety of other health care providers. CHA SSP also services non-healthcare facilities such as schools and universities, day care centers, veterinarians, social service agencies and cities/towns, and a number of small business members. While the majority of CHA SSP members are located in New England and Illinois, there are a variety of other healthcare providers (physicians, clinics, surgery centers, nursing homes, etc.) in other states such as California, Florida, Georgia and Texas.

MARKETING STRATEGIES:

CHA SSP maintains a sales staff that visits New England hospital and alternate care members on a regular basis. Sales staff also has the responsibility to pursue new members. CHA SSP members outside of New England are serviced through a combination of phone calls, direct mail and electronic communications. An inside "operations" staff handles customer service and sales support function.

Marketing of the program, and specific agreements, is done in a variety of ways:

• direct mailings to all membership types
• targeted mailings to specific membership types (by department)
• targeted mailings to specific physician specialties
• facility-specific marketing plans
• facility visits by sales staff
• co-marketing visits
• phone calls (updates, information gathering, promotion)
• ads in the monthly newsletter ("PURCHASING POWER")
• listings on customized indexes
• web site links and ads
• educational programs

When a new agreement is executed, the Assistant Vice President meets with the national account, or local representative, at a business planning session to develop specific marketing strategies. These business planning sessions also occur periodically during the term of the agreement.