Supply Chain

As supply constraints remain a key challenge in the healthcare industry, it becomes increasingly difficult to prepare for the unknown. Each day brings uncertainty with which products will be available, requiring health systems to rethink their demand planning process.

The U.S. government is finalizing a plan with the U.S. Postal Service to distribute 500 million COVID-19 tests to households nationwide, four people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

With supply chain leaders in the healthcare industry facing numerous challenges in 2021, it’s important to also highlight the successes from the past year as well.

Anywhere from 800,000 to 1 million COVID-19 tests expired in a state stockpile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis revealed during a Jan. 6 news conference, NBC2 News reported. 

Supply shortages and surging COVID-19 cases have prompted health systems across the country to ration treatments, The New York Times reported Jan. 6.

Owners of an Orlando-based medical supply company have agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve allegations they participated in a scheme to defraud Medicare. 

Ten health systems have posted job listings for supply chain expertise in the last week:

A domestic medical gown manufacturing plant funded by 34 health systems will start production in early spring. 

Washington state will distribute 5.5 million rapid at-home COVID-19 tests to residents over the coming weeks, Governor Jay Inslee said during a Jan. 5 media briefing. 

Officials in Chicago and Philadelphia are warning residents to be aware of fake COVID-19 tests and testing sites given the scarcity of supplies during the recent surge of cases.