Improving Healthcare Supply Chain Processes via Data Standardization

摘要

Healthcare cost and quality are topics of great concern in the United States. A key driver of cost and quality of healthcare delivery is its supply chain. The healthcare supply chain is complex, and early studies have revealed many opportunities for cost reduction. We recently conducted a survey of more than 1,350 healthcare supply chain professionals to investigate how the industry has progressed since those early studies and identify current opportunities for process improvements. One challenge identified by surveyed healthcare supply chain professionals is the lack of data standardization. The familiar Universal Product Codes found on products lining retail shelves are nonexistent on most products used in healthcare facilities. This lack of standard product and location data leads to inefficiencies and inaccuracies within the healthcare supply chain. The focus of this paper is to identify how the lack of data standardization in the healthcare supply chain is hindering its progression towards process improvement. The results presented are taken from a November 2008 survey of healthcare professionals as well as findings from the literature and expert interviews.