Supply Chain

The billionaire leaders of several major global technology companies announced over the weekend their intent to deliver millions of medical supplies to frontline healthcare professionals around the world, Business Insider reports.

Seattle-based UW Medicine received a donation of 50,000 N95 face masks from Elon Musk and Tesla to help combat shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Seattle Times reported. 

Here are three best practices to create an environment of collaboration among supply chain professionals, clinicians, and senior leadership:

Open Cities Community Health Center in St. Paul, Minn., is running so low on face masks that it's considering shutting down, according to Twin Cities Pioneer Press. 

The American Red Cross is warning of severe blood shortages across the country as thousands of blood drives have been canceled over fear of worsening the coronavirus spread.

In a March 20 address, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told healthcare facilities the state would buy any ventilators they are not using. 

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

The FDA tweeted a request to medical devicemakers to report any potential shortages of equipment that may be necessary to diagnose COVID-19, since they aren't required to report shortages in the same way drugmakers are, Politico reported. 

Scott Steiner, CEO of the Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany, Ga., said a supplier was charging $7 for N95 face masks, which usually cost 58 cents apiece, Newsweek reported. 

“Right product, right place, right time” has been the objective of supply chain for years. That mantra still rings true, but more is at stake now in a value-based, consumer-centric environment.