There are 6,093 hospitals in the United States alone, and these hospitals need constant management to work correctly. If this fails, these hospitals will no longer be able to function and serve patients properly. This is why hospital inventory management is so important. Several barriers must be avoided to ensure everything runs smoothly.
But where to start? What challenges are most detrimental to healthcare inventory management? Keep reading and learn more about what they are and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
- 1. Limited Data Visibility
- 2. Expired, Damaged, or Recalled Products
- 3. Lack of Supply Chain Automation
- 4. Hidden Costs
- 5. Medication and Supply Shortages
- 6. Lack of Tech Integrations
- 7. Unexpected Supply Chain Problems
- 8. Unclear Shipment Tracking
1. Limited Data Visibility
Limited data visibility is known to cause various problems in hospital inventory management because it's only possible to get the whole picture when you have all the data readily available. Data is crucial for every step of the supply chain and inventory control.
You might have a small fraction of the data you need to make important decisions, making it difficult for basic tasks to run smoothly. Hospital inventory management software can help you bridge those gaps.
This software will show you a more complete picture of the inventory management process. It allows you to collect and use this data to improve the process in various ways. The more data you have, the easier it will be to improve this process.
More hospitals are using software like this to make inventory management more effortless. Modern software is far more efficient compared to more traditional methods of the past.
2. Expired, Damaged, or Recalled Products
Expired and damaged products are more common than people realize. The hospital supply chain depends on the presence of relevant products shipped to hospitals and clinics. If expired or damaged products are getting shipped out, this could cause a massive problem.
These products would be useless to hospitals and could even put patients at risk. However, catching these products without a hyper-vigilant eye can be challenging.
This is where inventory management software comes in. Software like this makes it easy to monitor your inventory from every angle. You can check where products have moved, if they are damaged, and if they got recalled.
3. Lack of Supply Chain Automation
Everything is automated in our modern age of technology. There is no reason why the supply chain shouldn't be automated. The supply chain is closely related to hospital inventory management operations.
One can't exist without the other. It will be less efficient if the supply chain still works via manual inputs, making automation so important.
Automation software makes it easy to keep up with everything and ensure everything is on the right track. It also takes all the heavy lifting off your shoulders, letting you instead relax and focus on other important tasks while the software does most of the work.
4. Hidden Costs
There are many hidden costs in hospital inventory management. Some of these costs are so hidden that you might not be aware that they exist. The problem with these costs is that they can accumulate over time.
They may add up to several hundred or thousands of dollars, a severe problem if you're tight on money. These hidden costs may be related to shipping products, warehousing, etc.
They could soon drain your wallet if you don't keep up with these costs, so you must always be on the lookout for them. Avoid being charged for things that you shouldn't get charged for.
5. Medication and Supply Shortages
Shortages happen all the time. Getting a particular medication or piece of equipment may not be possible at times, and this can be extremely dangerous if that equipment is vital for treating patients in a hospital.
The last several years have taught us that shortages can happen anytime and anywhere. If you're unprepared for them, a cascade of problems will result. But you can avoid this if you're always prepared with a strategic plan.
Inventory management software can help you with that. It enables you to stay ahead of the game to get through supply shortages, even unexpected ones.
6. Lack of Tech Integrations
Some software doesn't integrate well with others, causing many problems with hospital inventory management. If you want inventory management software, ensure it integrates with other important features to prevent issues from arising. This could include ERP, EHR, or other systems for managing inventory, employees, or equipment.
7. Unexpected Supply Chain Problems
Supply chain problems are often unexpected. They can stop shipments in their tracks and cause shortages. Inventory management software can give you a heads-up as to when these problems might happen.
Once they happen, you can use this software to work around the problem and stay ahead of the curve.
8. Unclear Shipment Tracking
Once products get shipped, it can take time to see where they are and if they're on the right track. Using the right software, you can track your shipments every step of the way. This ensures they will reach the proper destinations on time.
All About Hospital Inventory Management
Hospital inventory management is vital for ensuring hospitals get what they need on time. You can improve this process by avoiding specific barriers. These include supply chain problems, shipment tracking, and tech integrations.
Are you ready to improve your inventory management? If so, Check out how our hospital inventory management software can help.
