The not-so-strained supply chain: Applying insights from the pandemic to surgical glove products & supply choice decisions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, suppliers in every industry — especially healthcare — experienced unparalleled supply chain challenges. These disruptions extended to surgical glove manufacturers and in some instances affected clinicians' trust in suppliers.

As the pandemic wanes, suppliers are reflecting on lessons learned and are making changes to better serve customers, prevent similar issues from arising in the future and putting an emphasis on renewed customer trust.

Becker's Hospital Review recently spoke with two supply chain experts from Cardinal Health — Rosemary Sergakis, DNP, RN, Global Medical Science Lead, U.S., and Carmen Sierra, DNP, RN, Global Medical Science Lead, Compression/Surgical Gloves — about the actions manufacturers are taking now and implications for surgical gloves in particular.

Question: Over the last few years, companies have faced mounting supply chain challenges. What have manufacturers of surgical gloves done to combat these challenges?

Dr. Carmen Sierra: In response to the supply chain challenges of the past few years, surgical glove manufacturers are making considerable investments to increase production capacity. For example, Cardinal Health is investing to increase capacity for Protexis™ surgical gloves by 20 percent this year alone, while creating a more resilient supply chain by moving to multiple raw material suppliers to ensure supply continuity. Cardinal Health is also implementing advanced planning techniques to optimize inventory and enhance end-to-end network visibility and transparency.

Q: What are surgical glove manufacturers doing to regain and maintain the trust of clinicians?

CS: Among the keys to restoring trust with clinicians are relationships, transparency, and knowledge sharing. In terms of relationships, as we come out of the pandemic, the opportunity has emerged to meet with customers face-to-face once again, which helps restore trust.

Transparency involves surgical glove manufacturers sharing deeper insights with customers about their manufacturing and supply chain investments. Suppliers are also being transparent by sharing information about the quality of their products and ethical manufacturing processes, along with product-focused clinical education. As an example, Cardinal Health has designed free continuing education programs focused on double gloving, benefits of going latex free, and the importance of hand hygiene. 

In addition to the investments being made to strengthen supply chain resiliency, by rebuilding personal relationships, increasing transparency, and engaging in knowledge sharing, it is possible to restore trust.

Q: If a customer is experiencing a backorder and they need surgical gloves, what would you recommend as a solution?

Dr. Rosemary Sergakis: Backorders have been a challenge, but they are declining as product supply has been returning. If organizations are still facing backorders for some surgical gloves, they should consider:

  • What kind of glove will serve my staff for most of the procedures we do? Instead of ordering several gloves and styles, it may make more sense to use one glove that is a workhorse in terms of thickness, tactile sensibility, and comfort.
  • When thinking about thickness, choose a glove that will pair well with an under glove, using the best evidence-based practice recommendation of double gloving.
  • Consider latex sensitivity and how a glove could affect hand dermatitis. Keep in mind the CDC has found that up to 12 percent of healthcare staff members develop latex sensitivity — and plan accordingly.1, 2 

Q: What is the benefit of customers standardizing their SKUs and moving to a latex-free portfolio?

RS: One benefit of standardizing is reducing the number of SKUs, which means reducing the amount of storage space required. This also provides a sustainability benefit due to fewer supply boxes, glove wrappers, and transportation costs. There are gloves that are considered "workhorses" that work well for a wide variety of specialties.

In terms of moving to a latex-free portfolio, there are facilities that bought latex gloves because they saw latex as a lower-cost solution. However, after conducting a total cost analysis  it revealed many hidden costs with latex gloves and showed through evidence that latex-fee decisions solve multiple issues, including sensitivities to latex.3 Recommended best practices and guidelines from multiple organizations — such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — call for wearing non-latex gloves. Other organizations have encouraged substituting gloves made from synthetic materials or non-rubber latex materials such as vinyl, nitrile, or polyisoprene for latex.

Moving forward with lessons learned

It is an important time for providers to carefully assess their suppliers and partners in all areas, including surgical gloves. Look for partners that are making high quality, safe and trusted products; are investing to increase manufacturing capacity and supply chain resiliency; are focused on transparency and knowledge sharing; and are committed to building strong, enduring relationships and providing outstanding customer service.

Cardinal Health is applying lessons learned from supply disruptions during the pandemic. Committed to patient care and ethical manufacturing practices, the company is investing to significantly increase access to Protexis™ surgical gloves and ensure supply continuity. Cardinal Health is prioritizing face-to-face interactions and providing more free clinical education resources to its partners to cultivate deeper trust with its customer base.

 

 

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://medbox.iiab.me/modules/en-cdc/www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/LatexAllergy.html.

2 The Key Group Research, 2016. Survey of over 100 healthcare professionals – including surgeons, OR nurse managers and supply chain professionals.

3 Estimates from Donna McDaniel, Director Surgical Services and Carol Miller, Peri-operative Services Educator. Face-to-face interview, June 2011. http://ortoday.com/a-latex-free-approach-to-operating-room-savings/ accessed 4/15/2023

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