Supply Chain

A spike in the number of flu cases could make the nationwide blood shortage even more severe, representatives from the American Red Cross and Blood Assurance warned, according to News10 ABC, an Albany, N.Y-based affiliate. 

The American Trucking Associations is one of several trade groups to sue the Biden administration over its federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate, arguing the mandate would have a "devastating" impact on U.S. supply chains, CNBC reported.  

The White House's Office of the United States Trade Representative has once again extended medical supply tariff exemptions for supplies needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Standardization helps hospitals and health systems reduce costs and improve clinical outcomes, while also building a robust supply chain with predetermined product alternatives that can withstand disruptions.

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

Three men pleaded guilty Nov. 9 to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for their roles in a scheme that involved paying and receiving kickbacks and bribes in exchange for physician orders of medical equipment from companies they owned. 

Intermountain Healthcare said Nov. 11 it has partnered with drone delivery company Zipline to deliver prescriptions and medical supplies to patients in the Salt Lake City metro area. 

Ellume is recalling more than 2 million of its at-home COVID-19 tests after a higher-than-acceptable number of false positive results were reported to the FDA, the company said Nov. 10. 

Cardinal Health CEO Mike Kaufmann told Bloomberg Nov. 9 that the company expects at least $100 million in extra supply chain costs in the 2022 fiscal year because of congested ports and pricier commodities. 

A World Health Organization leader warned Nov. 9 that there could be a global shortage of vaccine syringes in 2022, The Hill reported.