Question

In what specific ways can hospitals improve their collaboration with key vendors, such as the large distributors in food services, pharmacy, and medical supplies? Which type of data could be shared that would help improve the overall supply chain?

Answer 1

> Vendor Managed Inventory imrpoves service and cost performance for hospitals. Under this , vendors’ own employees take responsibility for checking inventory levels, ordering materials as necessary, and directly replenishing inventories within individual care units. This reduces the need for materials to move in and out of warehouses and stores.

> Having a self distribution system also makes work more organised and costs reduce considerably. Under this, there is a central for all pharmaceuticals and from this store , materials are dispatched to various units/hospitals under the hospital group as per the requirement.

> Hospitals might also own transport vehicles for their day to day operations. Over the time , it costs less than hiring vehicles on demand.