A recent study at the University of Cincinnati reveals that the use of RFID technology in hospital supply chains can help cut as much as 18% in labor costs associated with resupplying, according to Healthcare IT News.
The study follows a long-term research project involving analysis of supply chains at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Sacre-Couer Hospital in Montreal and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Typically, hospitals resupply at set periodic times. But this means if a critical need for an item occurs due to an unexpected demand, caregivers have to scramble and steal from other stations to meet their needs, and the needed item isn’t there because it isn’t due to be until the periodic set time.
With RIFID technology, when an item runs low, a signal is sent indicating that replenishment should be considered soon for that item. Supply personnel can also bring up any additional items that are likely to be needed soon.
Analysis shows this approach would result in an average 38 percent reduction in the need for out-of cycle replenishment, reducing labor costs and time and the potential risk for patients.
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