An intriguing discrepancy stood out in our recent survey of 400 hospital stakeholders.
So if we acknowledge the value, why aren’t more hospitals adopting automation?
In my recent article, “The Hospital Supply Chain: Where You Sit Changes Everything” I described one reason why many supply chain processes remain antiquated: Our survey revealed that key stakeholders may not feel like they have a seat at the table to help catalyze improvements. I believe supply chain leaders can overcome this challenge by conducting an active dialogue with service line leaders and frontline clinicians. Two-way, proactive communication helps create alignment around supply chain improvements.
Our survey also showed that, in the face of competing priorities, many hospital staff see legacy systems as “good enough.” But when an eye-opening 18 percent of respondents actually experienced a patient being harmed for not having the right supplies at the right time,1 is “good” really good enough?
When the potential consequences of supply chain problems are serious — staff burnout, widespread waste, safety concerns of expired products — isn’t it time to explore new approaches?
The challenge of making improvements to your system can be overwhelming, but even small changes can yield substantial benefits and bring you closer to “great.”
Here are five small steps you can take today to start making progress:
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1-This study was fielded Oct. 19 - Nov. 4, 2016, using an online survey methodology. The samples were drawn from SERMO’s Online Respondent Panel of Health Care Providers, which includes over 600,000 medical professionals in the United States. The study included 403 respondents total, including frontline healthcare providers in hospitals (n=201), service line leaders in hospitals (n=100), and hospital/supply chain administrators (n=102). All survey data on file at Cardinal Health.
2-“2-Bin Kanban, an innovative approach to inventory management: Bellevue Medical Center case study” (2013), Cardinal Health. Case study on file.