The Critical Importance of Supply Chain Flexibility in Long Term Care

For long term care facilities, planning is key. Skilled facility managers know the number of residents they can house to ensure quality care is provided. Nursing managers and attending physicians work to create and implement personal care plans for long term care, in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers or long term rehabilitation centers.

But health status can change quickly, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or younger patients recovering from illness or trauma. Since these changes can't always be predicted, long term care administrators need to be flexible to meet patients' needs.

Customizing your Supply Chain and Distribution

While you can't adjust a patient's medical needs, your supply chain and distribution choices are an area where you can get needed flexibility and control. Instead of stocking up on extra supplies, just in case, you can increase your order based on need. In addition, you can reduce orders as medical needs change, avoiding costly expirations and wasted supplies.

Below are some of the ways you can work with a quality medical supply distributor to tailor your facility supply chain and distribution services to what you need today.

• Low UOM lets you create smaller unit volume shipments to locations without loading docks. Instead of waiting for monthly bulk supplies, you can order as need increases.
• Solutions-oriented services, such as BeCompliant™, a user-based software program, allows you to avoid automated process-driven ordering.
• Possessing the ability to be versatile in the service provided creates a relationship where your distributor becomes a true partner in your business.
• Customization is key. Creating individualized orders for each nursing station/facility with a customized online ordering process such as uCommand®.
• Choosing a distributor who offers a customizable delivery portfolio, including equipment staging, will assist in meeting your individual needs.

Concordance Healthcare Solutions understands the needs of long term care coordination at all points of the supply chain. Ensuring on time distribution of quality supportive devices and healthcare supplies can streamline your facility processes, letting you focus on what is most important—the patient.