3 emerging care delivery trends impacting health system supply chains

In our value-based care environment, hospital and health system leaders are striving to provide the best patient care in the most cost-efficient way.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of providers meeting patients where they are—whether at work, home or in their neighborhoods. These changes in care delivery could have a direct impact on health system supply chains, especially those currently focused on the in-patient hospital setting. 

In fact, in a recent survey, more than 90% of c-suite health system leaders said they hold their supply chain leaders at least somewhat accountable for being able to effectively increase the delivery of patient care in these emerging care settings. This makes it especially important for supply chain leaders to understand these areas of impact. 

Here are three emerging care trends that impacting your health system supply chain:

1.  Hospital care at home: Home care has been a rapidly growing area of healthcare, and a recent survey shows that more than 44% of healthcare organizations want to invest more in home healthcare.¹ We have seen examples of a few different healthcare models, such as working with home health and hospice companies to manage patients after they are discharged, to help cut down on readmissions and the costs related to them.² Another model, like the hospital-at-home model, aims to keep patients out of the hospital altogether (or from being readmitted) by providing hospital-level care in a patient’s home as a substitute for traditional inpatient care.³
2.  Telehealth: According to a 2016 article from The Wall Street Journal, more than 60% of Americans were willing to try virtual doctor’s visits.⁴ This number can be expected to be even larger in a post-COVID environment. With quick appointments, greater access to care, and the ability to skip the wait time—not to mention crowded waiting rooms—on-demand care is garnering a swift following, both from patients and physicians. Although many health systems already had some sort of virtual care in place, a recent survey shows that 66% of hospital c-suite executives agreed that COVID-19 significantly accelerated the shift of care to virtual visits, and this will only continue to be a trend in the future.⁵
3. Retail healthcare: With mounting responsibility for insurance premiums and co-pays, consumers have become increasingly price sensitive around the healthcare services they receive.⁶ Consumers also don't want to drive across town to see a specific provider when a more convenient option—a walk-in clinic or pharmacy—is within minutes of where they live. All of this has led to the growth of U.S. retail clinics, totaling more than 2,000 in 2017, according to the Drug Channels Institute.⁷

In addition to understanding these care delivery trends, it is crucial to note what specific touch points of the supply chain they impact the most. Recent survey results show that 92% of supply chain leaders believe that inventory management will be directly impacted by the shift in the delivery of care. This was closely followed by product standardization initiatives, product assortment, and logistics—all of which more than 50% of respondents agreed will be directly impacted. 

Take the time to assess the current landscape of your health system and begin to build your response to changing care models. For example, if telehealth is on the horizon, then look closely at your inventory management systems. Less product might be moving through your system on a day-to-day basis. Or, if your facility is looking to add urgent care or outpatient centers, then take a look at your additional sites of care might impact your current freight management system. 

Addressing these care delivery trends will help ensure your health system can provide care to patients – wherever they are. For more insights and supply chain best practices, visit our supply chain center.

¹ https://www.bdo.com/getattachment/4d33f6c8-6d21-41b1-bbc6-aac62f4a70fd/attachment.aspx?HC_Eldercare-Study_brochure_2018_WEB-(1).pdf=&utm_source=Media&utm_campaign=Candid%20Conversations%20on%20Elder%20Care

² https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180624/news/664501/hospitals-use-home-health-to-cut-costs-of-readmission

³ https://www.cardinalhealth.com/en/essential-insights/how-hospital-care-is-going-to-and-following-the-patient.html

⁴ https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-telemedicine-is-transforming-health-care-1466993402

⁵ https://www.cardinalhealth.com/en/essential-insights/healthcare-in-an-on-demand-world.html

⁶ https://nrchealth.com/resource/healthcare-forecast-2017-top-trends-driving-board-strategic-priorities/

⁷ https://www.drugchannels.net/2017/02/retail-clinic-check-up-cvs-retrenches.html