Hospital supply chain costs are projected to increase 3.39% in 2027 as health systems contend with continued margin pressure and uneven inflation across nonlabor spending categories, according to a July 27 Vizient analysis.
Here are five things to know:
- Overall supply chain inflation is projected at 3.39% in 2027, with higher price pressure concentrated in IT hardware and software, purchased services, construction, capital equipment and medical-surgical products. The projections measure price movement only and do not account for utilization, reimbursement, supply availability or local contract performance.
- IT hardware and software is expected to see the largest increase at 6.29%, followed by indirect spend and purchased services at 4.73%. Construction is projected to rise 4.70%, while capital and imaging equipment is forecast to increase 3.21%.
- Medical-surgical products are projected to increase 3.05%, with Vizient citing continued exposure to raw material costs, tariffs, logistics and supply volatility. Laboratory inflation is expected to remain lower at 1.87%, though utilization patterns continue shifting toward point-of-care and specialty testing.
- Vizient said health systems will need stronger visibility across sites of care, supplier diversification, contract compliance, demand forecasting and supply assurance as care continues moving into ambulatory, outpatient and home-based settings.
- The analysis said managing nonlabor expenses in 2027 will require an enterprise-wide approach that connects supply chain, finance and clinical operations rather than focusing on inflation alone.
