The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to cripple the healthcare equipment supply chain. Raw materials such as steel, chrome, aluminum, plastic, and electronic parts are scarce, demand is high, and global transportation is bottlenecked all along the supply chain. Add a shortage of workers in the factories, at the docks, at rail yards, trucking companies, within healthcare systems, and you’ve encountered the perfect storm.

We are seeing lead times on some items increase to five and six months. These longer lead times delay the opening of crucial new medical facilities, and they also hamper healthcare systems’ financial recoveries from the pandemic.

Here are four ways CME Corp can assist you in getting your equipment on-time:

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) cost facilities billions of dollars and cause 99,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At CME Corp, we consider this trend to be nothing short of tragic, but we do have some answers.

As we observe Falls Prevention Awareness Week, now is a better time than ever to review the different ways your healthcare facility can minimize and prevent patient falls. Using the appropriate equipment to lift, move, or transport patients not only minimizes falls, but it also mitigates staff injuries and provides a safe environment for all. Reducing caregivers’ injuries is especially important right now since the COVID-19 pandemic has left many healthcare facilities short-staffed. No one wants to lose a caregiver to a work-related injury.

With COVID-19 cases rising and vaccine rollout strategies growing across the country, it's critical for medical facilities to remain up to date with the latest vaccine storage requirements that will help to reduce vaccine waste. From the moment a vaccine is produced to the moment it is administered, it's important to keep the cold chain consistent within each vaccine's designated temperature ranges.  

While preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has always been a top priority for healthcare providers, the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a large jump in HAIs by fourth quarter of 2020.  While equipment such as ventilators and catheters are top of mind during infection prevention discussions, there are other product solutions that you may not have thought of.

Here are six unique product solutions that will help control environmental risk factors for HAI.

The Joint Commission (TJC) is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Most hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC), and other healthcare facilities are accredited through TJC. Once accredited, healthcare facilities are inspected at least once every three years.

The Joint Commission’s mandate is to increase the quality of patient care by elevating standards and delivery systems in healthcare facilities nationwide. TJC has always been laser-focused on infection prevention, environment of care, and emergency management. As we continue to live through the Covid-19 pandemic, inspections will be even more focused on these important elements.

Healthcare facilities need the right equipment – delivered on time – to operate at peak efficiency and effectiveness.

Throughout the process, facilities need to be able to function seamlessly, without disrupting employees’ duties or patient care. This can become even more difficult if your facility is having multiple large pieces of equipment from many different manufacturers received and delivered to a new or remodeled location.

Everyone has heard how dirty our cellphones are, right? They are seven times dirtier than a toilet seat and, on average, a person touches their phone 2,600 times a day. When working in a healthcare setting, this becomes particularly problematic since healthcare workers also touch other small devices such as keyboards, tablets, stethoscopes, and badges all day long.

The summer season is upon us, and as temperatures continue to rise across the nation, it's becoming more and more crucial to uphold an emergency preparedness plan for your medical facility. Extreme weather events are a strain on resources and pose significant challenges for hospitals.

From the early heatwaves and droughts exacerbated by the fire season on the West Coast, to the torrential downpours and heavy winds brought on by the Atlantic hurricane season, remaining informed so you can be equipped and protected is of the utmost importance. 

Establishing emergency protocols not only ensures you have the proper equipment to take care of your patients during times of disaster, but it also allows you and your staff to save time when it matters the most. Whether you're sourcing your emergency preparedness equipment for the first time, or if you're hoping to build upon or validate your existing procurement plan, we at CME Corp are here to help.

Below, you will find the most pertinent categories of equipment that best meet your needs in times of emergency.