As healthcare supply chains struggle to meet product demands during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been one noteworthy expectation voiced to CME Corp repeatedly: Healthcare supply chains need more visibility and more accurate communication when it comes to equipment logistics.

Timely and intentional delivery of crucial medical equipment has always been a primary pillar of our industry’s stated mission, but today and into the future, supply chain members must have global visibility into the entire supply chain, from the manufacturer to the end-user, including any issues that arise along the way.

Whether you are a buyer in the purchasing department of an individual hospital or part of an Integrated Delivery Network (IDN), you will likely want knowledgeable equipment specialists who understand the need for medical facility logistics and customized delivery requirements.  

In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) offers some tips for IDNs that may assist you when making decisions about equipment and supplies deliveries that will not conflict with patient care scheduling.

The current economic climate in healthcare is causing some health systems to cut back when handling equipment delivery and warehousing.  IDNs and large systems are asking the distributors and vendors to take on more of their logistics needs.  

Instead of bringing large items into a central warehouse, health systems are leaning more toward direct-to-site (DTS) delivery.  While this serves to reduce their warehousing and personnel costs, fine-tuning the processes involved is extremely important.

As the nation continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, economies are beginning to re-open, and it may be time to start planning your new hospital construction or renovation projects. Where do you begin? How can you even source and procure your equipment when it may or not be backordered?

Biomedical departments in large healthcare systems have a myriad of important responsibilities including:

CME Corp Debuts Software Solutions to Automate Logistics, Direct-to-Site Services

WARWICK, R.I. – Together, CME Corp and Alliant Purchasing are excited to announce an agreement that will provide expedited service and coveted biomedical expertise to Alliant’s network of over 10,000 members.