Urgent care centers have become increasingly more common across the U.S. in recent years. This increase is reflective as consumerism continues to influence healthcare. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age and Millennials approach middle age, acute care needs are only expected to increase.
More than 5.7 million patients are admitted annually to intensive care units (ICUs) in the U.S. for stabilization of serious life-threatening medical problems. Approximately 20 percent of acute care admissions are to an ICU.
While the types of care may vary by facility, one thing that is consistent is the need for healthcare supplies and equipment. In order to provide the best patient care possible, your supply chain must be adaptable and reliable. When selecting a healthcare supply chain partner, there are some points you should consider:
- Adaptability
- Industry Expertise
- Product Knowledge
- Solutions Focused
Adaptability
Acute care encompasses a variety of care needs including:
- Critical Care
- Urgent Care
- Trauma Care
- Intensive Care
- Surgical Care
Collectively, these services are the most urgent and time-dependent. Individuals present with needs ranging from common ailments such as cold and flu symptoms and minor injuries to more serious injuries with surgical requirements. They often require complex inpatient care.
In order to provide the paramount of care, your facility may need specialty supplies and equipment with minimum notice. Your usual supply needs may also shift from time to time. Having an adaptive supply chain partner is essential in order to always be prepared with the products you need.
Industry Expertise
Those that work in acute care face many unique challenges including patient safety and overall patient experience. Working with a supply chain partner that recognizes these challenges can help make selecting the right products easier.
Having a team of industry experts at your disposal helps by providing succinct and expert service. Your supply chain partner should be able to provide you with the knowledge to make supply chain decisions easier and more efficient.
Product Knowledge
With such a variety of product and equipment selections available, it can be a complicated process trying to select the right supplies. Keeping up on the latest developments and technology is also time consuming. The right supply chain partner can be a valuable resource in helping you increase your product knowledge, discover and learn about emerging technology and to help streamline your overall decision process.
Your distributor should utilize a model that offers a comprehensive channel of new products and technology while also allowing you to retain complete control of the product selection. The supplier is then responsible for focusing on delivering the items you want and need when and where you need them. In the end, your experience should seamlessly blend a high level of personal support with customized solutions guaranteed to help you meet your goals.
Solutions Focused
Acute care facilities in the U.S. have a unique set of needs that create challenges. Your supply chain partner should offer a variety of services which provide solutions and technologies that fit your individual needs, help to reduce spending and help you deliver the highest quality of care. They should also provide supply chain logistics that assist in reducing costs to help improve patient outcomes. When your supply chain partner is focused on providing solutions, they help you in creating efficiencies and excellence throughout your entire supply chain.
Concordance Healthcare Solutions can supply a team of experts that understand the market and the industry. From improving the quality of care to contributing to a higher level of supply chain management, by partnering together, we can create a customized portfolio of solutions and supplies that can create greater efficiencies and provide support in your delivery of superior patient care. Click here to learn more about our unique solutions.
.svg){kind=icon}
