Supply Chain

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is facing a dangerously low blood supply, and medical professionals worry transfusion services could be at risk, according to WBRC. 

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

Amazon announced Nov. 21 that it has created a smart shelf, dubbed the Amazon Dash Smart Shelf, that automatically reorders supplies when running low, according to CNBC.

The FDA Nov. 20 granted BioVentrix breakthrough device designation for its revivent TC transcatheter ventricular enhancement system, used to treat heart failure, according to Medical Device Network.

The FDA is trying to create a new program to allow patients faster access to lifesaving medical devices, but the Advanced Medical Technology Association, a lobbying group that represents 97 percent of the country's medical devicemakers, said the agency needs…

Innovation in medical devices targeted toward children occurs much slower than it does for adults, Kurt Newman, MD, president and CEO of Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., wrote in an opinion piece for The Hill.

Two deaths, one serious injury and more than 60 medical device reports have been linked to Maquet/Datascope's intra-aortic balloon pumps in the past year, the FDA warned healthcare providers in a Nov. 19 letter.

The holiday season is perhaps the busiest time of year for the retail sector. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday and many well-timed new product launches, we can assume that the supply chain is working overtime.

The FDA Nov. 15 approved the marketing of Montvale, N.J.-based Pentax of America's new duodenoscope design that reduces the chances of transmitting infection-causing bacteria between patients. 

Optimizing the way products are received and stored is a key strategy hospitals can use to contain distribution costs, eliminate waste, free up storage and reduce touches by staff throughout the supply chain, according to Matt Bruggeman, director of solutions…