Building Healthcare Supply Chain Software: How To Get Started

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain in healthcare was forced to evolve at an unprecedented rate to keep up with the rapidly transforming demand dynamic. In healthcare, supply chain management witnessed a paradigm shift in the logistical landscape that forced healthcare organizations to look at innovation to survive. No longer will traditional legacy systems of supply chain manufacturing in healthcare be sufficient. Custom healthcare supply chain solutions of the new age need to adopt a resilient and robust framework to keep up with the demand of the new age. According to a recent study, almost 87% of supply chain organizations invest in innovative technology to boost their profitability. 

At OSP, a US-based client was using another 340B management system. However, that system didn’t address the client’s evolving needs. The main task of the client was to have a complete healthcare supply chain management system to identify patient eligibility, manage inventory, provide real-time updates, manage distribution and tracking of drugs, and create agile reports.

As you can see above, the innovation toward healthcare supply chain automation is the current norm. If you’re looking toward futuristic healthcare supply chain solutions, here’s a look at the critical features of the healthcare supply chain management software.

Key Adoption Features of a Futuristic Healthcare Supply Chain Software  

1. End-to-end Visibility  

The current pandemic is a stark reminder of the importance of visibility in healthcare supply chain management software. A direct result of this is an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses, an analysis of how to control costs, and creating expansion plans. End-to-end visibility across the entire supply chain in healthcare promotes meaningful decision-making through data-driven insights. Clinical data analysis and clinical informatics can be built into the supply chain for all-rounded visibility. Forecasting transportation and other spending is a complex process and requires a significant amount of operational visibility. Accessibility to meaningful data can, therefore, play an important role in cost reductions.   

2. Real-time Data  

A recent survey found that almost 85% of healthcare supply chain companies agree that real-time data has successfully mitigated challenges across the entire value chain. Medical records management solutions can be applied to integrated healthcare solutions to extract vital data that aids in cost control, improves overall performance, bridges process gaps, and creates a seamless transition across the medical supply chain management. Healthcare supply chain software should work to provide real-time data analysis to improve the company’s bottom line. With remote work conditions being increasingly adopted, hospital materials management systems can be run seamlessly through access to real-time data.   

3. Increased Resilience  

While building a supply chain strategy for hospitals, leaders are increasingly recognizing its value towards driving profits. In the future, resilient medical supply software can be a game-changer for healthcare organizations. Just as practice management solutions control unnecessary costs, optimizing supply chain spending can offer maximum benefit. Hospital management systems can optimize their processes through healthcare interoperability that relies on the resilience of the supply chain operations. Finally, with enhanced visibility, data-driven decision-making, and maximum resilience, you can be assured of a particular shot position of advantage.   

4. Optimized Networks  

Disruptions in the supply chain strategy for hospitals and other healthcare avenues are witnessing a surge like never before. With electronic health records and mHealth solutions, even healthcare supply chain software should be set up on an omnichannel. A robust network should be adaptable to future disruptions, provide optimized performance and remain low on costs. As healthcare technologies continue to provide added features of improved diagnostics and imaging, the future supply chain will need to be integrated with healthcare manufacturing and medication dispensing processes through pharmacy management. Hospital inventory management, in the future, will be a small component of a host of services provided along with the same network.   

5. Improved Customer Experience  

A futuristic healthcare supply chain software will need to free itself from the geographical limits of the healthcare organization and adapt to the fluidity of reaching the patient at their specific location. As with other patient engagement systems, consolidation and collaboration will play a big role in supply chain management in healthcare. As hospitals look to reduce readmission rates and with major healthcare reforms, in-patient, and out-patient facilities may be a thing of the past. Hospital supply chain management healthcare will have to move past the walls of the healthcare organization and allow patients to receive caregiving services wherever needed. Patient-oriented care, therefore, is based on a methodology to improve the customer experience. Through the probable use of electronic data exchange, healthcare consumers will look to buy healthcare products as with any other products.

6. Digital Experiences  

Digitized healthcare supply chain software comes with the opportunity to deliver the right product to the right patient at the right time. Cloud computing in healthcare and healthcare analytics solutions has mastered the art of leveraging data toward improved decision-making. Similarly, a digital supply chain can offer advanced healthcare analytics and an increased connection between providers and patients. Through an intuitive digital experience, patients are encouraged to use the supply chain, and organizations can offer increased convenience to patients, providers, and other entities within the healthcare space. Finally, through HIPAA compliance, regulatory compliance can be maintained on a digital supply chain.   

7. Risk Mitigation  

Managing risks will be a big part of the future supply chain. With every technological disruption comes a new risk, and healthcare companies must have provisions to mitigate risks. Through integrated care management strategies and overall integrity, deployment should ensure dynamic risk assessment and mitigation. When patients suffer inconvenience due to lack of stock or other reasons, healthcare organizations risk losing patients. Customer service is automatically enhanced with the reduction and prompt management of risks.   

8. Improved Prediction Analysis  

As with other sectors, healthcare automation has enhanced prediction analysis across the entire healthcare lifecycle. Through real-time data and advanced analytics, predictive analysis can yield high-end results in healthcare supply chain management solutions. Reliable health forecasts can allow organizations to manage inventory accordingly and avoid shortages. Furthermore, based on these data analyses, high-quality reporting can provide patients with a superior caregiving experience through predictive analysis.   

9. Better Relationship Management  

Futuristic healthcare supply chain solutions will operate with increased visibility across the entire process flow on the supply chain. Processes are, thereby, optimized, and the relationship between the provider and patient grows in strength. Strong relationships between multiple healthcare entities increase the resiliency of the supply chain and make a stronger case for serving patients by offering patient-centric services. With advanced planning and inventory management, wastage and cancellations remain at a minimal level. In the end, the patient is happier, and so is the provider.   

10. Higher Sustainability  

A future healthcare supply chain platform will be environmentally conscious in its approach and through supply chain healthcare delivery. Eco-friendly supply chain practices with a high-end sustainability model are more likely to succeed in the long run. With strong data strategies and top-of-the-line technologies, sustainability is a feature that can be easily attained for additional profitability.  

Benefits of Supply Chain Software in Healthcare

1. Streamlined Processes and Optimal Results

Healthcare supply chain management in hospitals automates purchasing, tracking, and replenishing products and services, enabling hospitals to manage costs, quantity, and supply levels. By forecasting trends and planning, supply chain hospital data provides a competitive advantage, driving informed decision-making and understanding the full cost of value-based care.

2. More Accessible Insights

Global drug shortages have led to increased spending on medicines, affecting hospitals worldwide. A healthcare supply chain management system can provide real-time insights, improve access to short-supply products, and accelerate revenue for healthcare organizations. It also facilitates transparency, reducing supply chain disruptions, and ensuring product availability during challenging times.

3. Enhanced Transparency

The medical supply chain management system enhances communication, collaboration, and coordination with vendors, suppliers, and shipping companies, enhancing the flow of medical supply management, medicines, surgical equipment, and services from manufacturer to patient. This system helps avoid logistic errors, late shipments, and production line hold-ups, reducing time delays in processes.

4. Improved Communication

Large healthcare organizations often have an administrative team responsible for inventory management, but this team may not include healthcare providers. This leads to wasted time for care teams with limited access to information. Healthcare supply chain services can provide both teams with necessary updates on medications and healthcare supplies, reducing the need for unnecessary tracking.

5. Reduction in Inventory Waste

Healthcare organizations often struggle with poor inventory management due to a lack of visibility in supply inventory, leading to drug waste and patient misuse. Pharmaceutical supply chain management software helps reduce waste by ensuring the right products are available at the right time and maintaining a lean inventory.

Healthcare Supply Chain Software Development Process

Healthcare inventory management software ensures the availability of essential supplies, minimizes waste, and optimizes resource allocation. Let’s take a look at the development process of the hospital supply chain software, from conception to implementation.

1. Analyzing the Requirements

Engage in comprehensive discussions with healthcare stakeholders to comprehend the unique challenges, workflow intricacies, and requirements for effective inventory management in the healthcare inventory software. 

2. Planning 

Create a comprehensive plan outlining software scope, key features, and development roadmap, aligning the project with organizational goals and resource constraints.

3. Designing

Create a user-friendly interface for healthcare professionals while constructing a robust system architecture to handle inventory management software development complexities.

4. Building a Prototype

Develop a medical inventory management solutions software prototype for stakeholders to visualize the proposed solution, providing valuable feedback for refinement before full-scale development of the medical inventory management platform. 

5. Development Stage

The coding phase involves implementing core features like real-time inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and seamless integration with existing healthcare systems for a comprehensive solution.

6. Testing

Conduct thorough software testing to identify and fix bugs, ensuring software functionality across various devices and scenarios, thereby ensuring accurate inventory tracking and management.

7. Integration

The integration of healthcare inventory management software with existing healthcare systems like EHR and ERP ensures a unified approach to data management.

8. Implementing Security Measures

It is crucial to implement robust security measures such as encryption and access controls for sensitive healthcare information to ensure data protection and integrity.

9. Training and Deployment

The healthcare staff will undergo comprehensive training through a phased deployment approach, ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing disruptions in daily operations.

10. Monitoring and Support

Implement continuous monitoring systems to monitor software performance, promptly address issues, and incorporate user feedback into future updates to ensure system effectiveness and user-friendliness.

Steps for Effective Implementation

1. Get Your Organization Ready for Change

Change management in healthcare organizations is challenging due to the numerous stakeholders affected by supply chain hospital management. To overcome this, collaboration is crucial, involving both back office staff and clinical teams. Effective communication of the implementation needs of the medical supply chain software and expected results is essential for gaining support and finding champions within the organization to support the digital transformation.

2. Integrate SCM Solutions with Existing Systems

Cloud-based solutions simplify the integration of SCM, ERP, and EHR systems for supply chain management, eliminating barriers faced by on-premise, legacy systems. A solid data foundation is essential to ensure successful integration and cleansing supply data is a crucial step before data sharing.

3. Educate Users for Successful Adoption

Healthcare providers must invest in proper training for users of healthcare SCM technology. This training helps staff navigate the software efficiently, reduces errors, and improves workflow accuracy. It also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, patient data privacy, and industry standards. Familiarizing users with the software’s features maximizes the benefits of the investment and promotes staff acceptance, overcoming resistance to change.

Conclusion   

As you embark on your journey of supply chain system integration strategy for hospitals or other healthcare organizations, rapid evolution should be the central idea of your development. As leading healthcare organizations embark on the innovation and technological adoption road, higher visibility, data quality, stronger relationships, and optimized processes will work as a successful map toward future profitability. Finally, a keen awareness of compliance requirements and flexibility for changes will provide a significant boost to your bottom line.