Supply Chain

In today’s healthcare environment, it’s vital to consider how proper par levels can create efficiencies and support patient care.

The FDA posted new guidelines May 6 that allow manufacturers to develop and market COVID-19 test kits that could be used by people at home and mailed to any lab in the country, a move the agency hopes will significantly…

The FDA allowed manufacturers from other countries to sell face masks to the U.S. for three weeks despite evidence that the masks were not effective in blocking COVID-19, according to a report from The New York Times.

COVID-19 testing capacity in hospitals and surgery centers should be doubled before elective surgeries fully resume, a recent survey of 150 U.S. hospitals and surgery centers found. 

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

A federal court ordered a California company May 6 to stop distributing hand sanitizers it claims can prevent virus infections. 

The FDA is requiring medical devicemakers to notify the agency of any significant interruptions in the supply chain of certain medical products to prevent or mitigate shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Several companies, including General Electric and Medtronic, have begun deliveries of thousands of new ventilators to the Strategic National Stockpile, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is working with companies, including Amazon, 3M and Pfizer, to stop counterfeit COVID-19 supplies from entering the country, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Product standardization is a key method hospitals and health systems can use to improve efficiencies and cut supply chain costs. However, it must be approached strategically.