Hospital supply chain costs to rise in 2027: 5 notes

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:

1. 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.

2. 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%.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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