Supply Chain

Managing supplies is a crucial part of moving medical products from the manufacturer to patient’s bedside. Efficient supply chains can reduce healthcare costs and make medical devices more affordable for patients and health systems. This news page includes content on supply shortages, inventory management, and procurement practices.

FDA issues Class I alert on Philips ventilators after 4 injuries
All serial numbers and lots of several Philips ventilators are at risk for damaged airflow sensors if used with in-line nebulizers.
FDA issues Class I recall of infusion pump batteries due to risk of burns
Rechargeable batteries used on CADD-Solis Li-ion infusion systems may short out if damaged, possibly causing the case to melt. No injuries have been reported.
Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site
The new 7,000-square-meter plant is located in France and will begin production of thorium-228, necessary for the development of isotopes used in cancer treatments.
Baxter reopens second production line at North Carolina IV solutions site
The plant is now operating at 50% of its pre-Hurricane Helene levels, as Baxter aims to reach full capacity by the end of the year.
Medtronic sued by doctor for alleged patent infringement
Shirin Towfigh, MD, and her consultancy firm, Hexagon Health, claim Medtronic is selling patented surgical mesh with a novel fin-shaped design.

Study: A third of pediatric hospital readmissions could be prevented

Hospital readmission rates are often used as indicators of the institutions’ effectiveness and getting and keeping patients healthy. It turns out, 30 percent of those short-term readmissions for children could be avoided, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. 

July 29, 2016

HIV/AIDS infection rates won't budge

All over the world, the rate of new HIV/AIDS infections has stayed mostly the same in the last 10 years, Nature reports. The info comes from a new analysis in the journal The Lancet, which looked at infection trends from about 1980 to 2015. 

July 25, 2016

McKesson to Acquire Rexall Health From Katz Group, Strengthening Its Position in Canada’s Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

SAN FRANCISCO & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), a leading international healthcare services and information technology company, and Katz Group, one of Canada’s largest privately-owned enterprises, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Rexall Health from Katz Group for $3 billion CAD ($2.2 billion USD*, or approximately $1.9 billion USD* net of the present value of incremental cash tax benefits). 

March 2, 2016

UPS announces results of annual supply chain survey

UPS has released the results of its eighth annual Pain in the Chain survey, which asks healthcare and life sciences logistics executives questions about various supply chain issues. 

November 19, 2015

Philips introduces mobile application to keep nurses connected with on-the-go monitoring

Andover, MA – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced the latest addition to its portfolio of advanced patient monitoring solutions. The Philips CareEvent mobile application turns a smartphone into a valuable clinical tool to meet the workflow demands for nurses and caregivers who are constantly on the go within the hospital.  

April 14, 2015

UHC Member Hospitals Achieve Record Supply Chain Savings of $400 Million in 2012

CHICAGO, April 4, 2013 -- UHC announced today that its member academic medical centers achieved record supply chain savings and value of $400 million in 2012. The savings amount represents 5% of UHC members' record aggregated spend of $8.1 billion and includes cash returns as well as operational savings.

April 4, 2013

Supply chain investment by CMS enables widespread EHR adoption

By sharing in the costs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CHS) has created an environment where widespread adoption can occur, according to Micky Tripathi, president and CEO of the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative.

October 9, 2012

AHRMM: Communication, collaboration key to supply chain success

BOSTONTo hear Michael Bohon tell it, more than a few C-level hospital leaders think they have a problem with their supply chainand theyre wrong.

August 10, 2011

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Payment cuts and beyond: Key takeaways for cardiologists from the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals.

AI in Healthcare

A modest proposal to rally AI regulators around a simple game plan

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

Cardiovascular Business

FDA commissioner urges clinicians to join fight against medical misinformation

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Supply Chain

FDA issues Class I alert on Philips ventilators after 4 injuries

FDA issues Class I recall of infusion pump batteries due to risk of burns

Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site

Baxter reopens second production line at North Carolina IV solutions site

Medtronic sued by doctor for alleged patent infringement

Around the web