How GE Integrates a Data-Driven Supply Chain for Perioperative Care
Much like how an efficient supply chain is important for
shipping pharmaceuticals, just as much consideration must be made for supplies
related to perioperative care.
GE Healthcare,
a subsidiary of General Electric, specializes in several areas of medical
imaging, patient diagnostics and monitoring, as well as specific disease areas
of neurology, cancer, and heart disease. With that in mind, ensuring that
supplies are on-hand at the right time can make all the difference between a
patient living or dying. Having the ability to anticipate demand for
life-changing equipment is paramount to delivering the best patient care possible.
So, rather than leaving room for errors, GE emphasises the
importance of a data-driven supply chain to ensure success in the operating
room.
Using a
Clinically-Integrated Supply Chain to Leverage Data
The main objective for GE was to develop a clinically-integrated
supply chain to leverage data in favor of all parties involved.
For example, the initial response to finding a
solution to supply chain issues in the perioperative setting was to
compartmentalize OR clinicians and supply chain staff into their own set of
responsibilities. Ideally, this was done to ensure that each group could focus
on their respective areas of work. However, trying to navigate procedure
schedules and inventory data proved unsuccessful since the information wasn't
being used holistically to provide insight into anticipatory needs and
inventory volumes.
To combat this disconnect, OR staff and supply chain
departments were brought together to create a platform specifically made for
forecasting supply among their separate scheduling and inventory metrics. Using
a database application from Microsoft Access, the teams created a system of
reports that leveraged both scheduling and inventory data from surgical teams
and supply inventory management. Reports were separated into several
categories, like Main OR Inventory, Same Day Surgery Inventory, and PDC
Inventory, and by OR clinicians and supply chain teams following a daily
reporting schedule of inventory updates, instances of missing supplies were no
longer a challenge.
Data Leads to Faster
Reporting and Better Results
Overall, the development of a joint database between
clinicians and supply chain management leads to faster reporting and better
patient results.
The main benchmark for progress involves mitigating
inventory shortages. By implementing a daily reporting schedule fulfilled and
monitored from each party, certain staff members can relay information to OR
clinicians who then can find product replacements or make arrangements with
supply teams to deliver tools in a healthy timeframe. In addition, having data
insights on-hand allows all parties to recognize data trends and anticipate
inventory refill schedules, as well as establish periodic automatic
replenishment to maintain inventories and eliminate risks from dangerous
inventory levels.
Other benefits to a data-driven, clinically-integrated
supply chain in GE's perioperative setting include...
•
Stepping away from legacy practices to embrace
automation and more accurate reporting through data
•
Less supply hoarding to improve inventory
accuracy and supply availability
•
Improved fill rates among OR clinicians
•
Improved confidence among staff members in regards
to day-to-operations and procedures
•
Setting a framework for future analytical
strategies between clinicians and supply chain teams in other departments
The bottom line is that laying the groundwork for a clinically-integrated, data-driven supply chain should start small. This means beginning with focused areas of clinical teams that need assistance with inventory and accuracy to allow a strategic partnership to evolve with supply chain departments. In the end, progress is made on both fronts, and any supply chain issues or challenges that arise are overcome together.
The customer experience in medical device supply chains is set to be a hot topic at LogiMed 2019, taking place in March at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA.
Download the agenda today for more information and insights.