The recent outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Vietnam and other parts of Asia that are largely unvaccinated are once again exposing the need for supply chain diversification. Although Vietnam only suffered 81 deaths from the virus in the first 14 months of the pandemic, increasing numbers of cases and deaths have pushed the … Continued
Most executives who work with supply chains or manufacturers are always acutely aware of the Chinese New Year (CNY). CNY each year means two to four weeks where new orders are not being processed or shipped out of China. Making a plan for your purchasing needs over this period is critical for any business especially … Continued
Photo courtesy of Hospital & Healthcare Management COVID-19 has managed to put a magnifying glass on the many challenges facing the global supply chain for medical supplies during this past month, and this moment in history sure to leave a lasting impact on the U.S. healthcare system in the future. As the number of COVID-19 … Continued
With the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declaring COVID-19, or Coronavirus, to be a “pandemic,” it has become painfully obvious that we are far from the end of this worldwide healthcare crisis. The term crisis is not simply referencing the virus itself and the impact of the illness but, for many in the healthcare industry, … Continued
Bans on plastic bags and other disposable products have been sweeping the nation over the last few years in an effort to become more environmentally-friendly, with Maine recently becoming the first state to adopt a styrofoam ban. Styrofoam, or polystyrene, poses a significant threat to the environment in particular because it is not biodegradable, it … Continued
Have you noticed an uptick in backorders and product allocation? The healthcare supply industry has experienced rapid consolidation in both IDNs and suppliers in recent years. Hospitals have joined forces to roll up into systems of increasing size and breadth, and found new ways to concentrate their purchasing power. Likewise, product brands, distributors, and GPOs … Continued
The smallest adjustments to personal protective equipment and apparel can make a big impact on your hospital staff and patients. For example, adjusting the thickness and stretch of the elastic on a bouffant cap helps the cap stay on properly and improves comfort. Offering gowns with elastic cuffs and an optional-use thumb loop tucked away … Continued
President Donald Trump has ordered a new 10% tariff on $200 billion in Chinese export products, representing slightly less than half of all Chinese-made goods purchased by US buyers. The tariffs took effect on September 24th and will rise to 25% on January 1st, absent a new trade agreement between China and the US. These … Continued
Categories with a reputation for being “low preference” or “commodities” can get put on auto-pilot inside busy supply chain organizations. Too many supply chain leaders incorrectly believe that value improvement opportunities are limited in these categories – that the “juice isn’t worth the squeeze”. They assign staff time and focus elsewhere. That improvement opportunity calculation … Continued
Becker’s Hospital Review recently published an article by Lorne Tritt, CEO of ASP Global, in their Hospital CFO Report. The article, “Don’t let these myths hold you back from direct-to-manufacturer sourcing”, disproves the common myths about direct sourcing that prevent health systems from implementing their own direct sourcing programs. Tritt states: Direct sourcing connects the … Continued
