Definition: Supply chain is a system of organizations, people, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer.
Supply chain management in hospitals is serious business. Think about it – if you’re out of something at the grocery store it’s no big deal. But, if you’re out of something at the hospital, it can mean life or death for the patients who reside there. The challenge of course, is cost; supply chain represents 40-45% of a hosptial’s operating cost (according to GHX). So, how can hospitals maintain a solid supply chain, while reducing costs? Here are some strategies we have in mind:
Leverage Big Data
Think of all the metrics that go on at a hospital… Materials, staffing over multiple shifts, medicine orders, etc. If all that information is left to chance there is a higher potential for error. Picture nurses being ‘double booked’ for the same shift, overages of bandages being ordered and then needing to be stored somewhere, or worse... By utlilizing Big Data best practices, all this information can be logged, analyzed and leveragedto cut down on errors and help staff do their jobs efficiently with the right materials and medicines at their disposal.
Reducing Waste
As mentioned above, by logging what supplies are used, that information can be reported out via Big Data analytics so that adequate amounts are ordered efficiently. This avoids overstocking of items, which eliminates excessive storage space.
Automation
By using the Big Data analytics hospitals already have, automated orders and invoices can reduce the risk of manual errors and ensure supplies are efficiently ordered without the burden of additional staffing requirements.
Want to learn more about how to reduce supply chain costs in your hospital? Contact us today to learn more about our services to support solutions in your hospital.