Health care facilities can have unique supply chain needs, including limited storage space and rigorous quality control. When delivering supplies to health care systems, supplies often need to be delivered directly to the point of care, leaving no margin for error. As a result, a delivery model that enables just-in-time deliveries, sometimes to businesses that are not actual stores, can bring shipments straight from a supplier to the operating room.
“Many hospitals and surgery centers have done away with storage because space is at a premium,” said Jeff Jackson, president of Penske Logistics. “With point of care delivery, they can have a much lower order quantity and order just-in-time custom kits with the specific tools the surgeon prefers.”
Point of Care Delivery in Health Care Ensures Quality, Efficiency
Penske Logistics can work with its customers to assemble presurgical trays or other medical care equipment, such as knee replacement kits. “A warehouse specialist seals the kits and puts them in the tote, ensuring strict quality control and tracking,” Jackson said.
One major point of care benefit is having fewer touch points, which improves quality control —especially important in the health care field. To achieve point of care success in health care, Penske Logistics and its customers must adhere to robust standard operating procedures. “In any relationship, there is a high level of trust,” Jackson said. “We need execution discipline.”
Penske relies on technology and reliable data to drive its precise execution. Penske team members monitor arrival and departure information to track shipments and deliveries closely. “GPS will tell us exactly when the driver arrived and left,” Jackson said. “If there are service issues, such as a driver getting held up for too long at one location, we can identify where [those issues] are occurring and find a solution.”
Penske also supplies arrival and departure information to its customers, who can track delivery status in real time and receive alerts if a disruption occurs.
In addition, Penske Logistics draws on its tracking information to get ahead of any potential weather or traffic disruptions, ensuring products keep moving. “In these scenarios, we enhance our emergency response plan,” Jackson said.
When forming a new point of care relationship, Jackson said collaboration is critical. Penske works with its customers to optimize deliveries. Drivers can also receive customized training, if necessary, to execute the customers’ needs.
To learn more about Penske’s health care solutions, contact us today.