Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care, a dedicated provider of high-quality pediatric healthcare and member of the Urgent Care Association, has consistently worked to enhance patient outcomes through operational excellence. However, as their network of clinics expanded, they faced growing challenges in procurement efficiency, cost management, and standardization. These issues began to compromise their ability to scale effectively while maintaining the exceptional quality of care their patients relied upon. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution, Little Spurs aligned with Amazon Business, leveraging its tools and features to empower their operations.

Overcoming procurement challenges

Before adopting Amazon Business, Little Spurs relied on traditional suppliers — a strategy that frequently fell short of their evolving needs. High costs, restricted product options, and unreliable delivery timelines were common hurdles. As Shauna Kohleffel, Vice President of Operations, observed, “Traditional suppliers weren’t always cost-competitive. Amazon Business allowed us to source high-quality items at lower prices, helping us better manage budgets during both day-to-day operations and new clinic openings.” This pivot to Amazon Business not only reduced overhead, but also empowered Little Spurs to meet their high standards of care while opening new clinics.

The speed and reliability of procurement, especially during the rapid timelines of launching new locations was another recurring challenge. According to Kohleffel, “We needed a procurement partner that could support the fast timelines of de novo launches. Amazon Business’ rapid shipping and consistent inventory availability allowed us to time deliveries exactly when we needed them — a major win for operational efficiency.” With the help of Amazon Business, Little Spurs could be confident that critical supplies were delivered as scheduled, supporting the seamless establishment of new clinics without operational delays.

Equally important was Amazon Business’ expansive selection of products, which included relevant items from medical supplies to office and facility essentials. “Amazon Business gave us access to a broader catalog of medical, office, and facility supplies compared to niche vendors, which often had backorder delays. This helped reduce the operational complexity of sourcing from multiple vendors,” Kohleffel explained. The vast range of products reduced logistical complexities while simplifying the procurement process.

Transforming processes through innovative tools and solutions

 By incorporating Amazon Business tools, Little Spurs streamlined complex financial and operational systems. For example, centralized billing through their Amazon Business account replaced outdated methods reliant on debit cards and expense reports. “Before Amazon [Business], we relied on company debit cards and employee expense reports. This created friction, especially with spending limits and reconciliation delays. Amazon Business solved this with consolidated billing and invoice-based payment terms, making the procurement process smoother for our finance and operations teams,” Kohleffel elaborated.

Operational standardization became another vital advantage for Little Spurs. Custom catalogs and multi-user permissions allowed them to consolidate product selection across all clinics while still addressing local needs. As Kohleffel noted, “With tools like custom catalogs and multi-user permissions, we’ve been able to standardize products across clinics while allowing flexibility for local needs — all within a centralized procurement structure.” This strategy reduced ordering confusion and increased consistency across the organization, enabling clinics to operate uniformly without sacrificing adaptability.

Streamlining new clinic launches

Opening a new clinic is a complex process, but Amazon Business played a critical role in simplifying it for Little Spurs. From creating clinic-opening checklists to centralizing supply chains, Amazon Business became the backbone of their launch strategy. “We now build our clinic-opening checklists with Amazon Business in mind. Having the ability to source the majority of our startup supply needs from multiple vendors all in one store allows for better control, easier tracking, and fewer missing pieces on day one,” Kohleffel said. This streamlined approach has reduced common procurement errors and helped every new clinic get ready to serve patients efficiently from day one.

A collaboration that drives success

Little Spurs’ strategy illustrates how innovative procurement solutions can drive excellence in healthcare operations. Besides setting a new benchmark for operational efficiency, they  also ensured that every child they serve receives care of the highest quality. Through its ongoing growth and improvement, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care shows the possibility of how a smart business buying strategy can positively impact both patients and providers.

With these shifts, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care has achieved remarkable results including better cost management, enhanced supply chain reliability, and streamlined operational consistency. “By integrating Amazon Business into our procurement strategy, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care has achieved significant and measurable improvements,” Kohleffel stated. These advancements have empowered the organization to scale operationally while remaining focused on their mission of delivering exceptional pediatric care.