In today’s rapidly changing implantable medical device landscape, improvement and efficiency is the name of the game. As medical device manufacturers strive to deliver quality care to their customers while managing costs, the optimization of every aspect of the supply chain is most important. One area that has seen significant advancements in recent years is the “last-mile” distribution of implantable medical devices, thanks to the transformative power of medical device industry specific software.
The last-mile distribution of implantable medical devices is a complex and critical component of the implantable medical device supply chain. These devices, which range from hip and knee reconstruction components, spinal implants, pacemakers to the surgical instruments used to implant them, are essential for your customers to provide proper patient care. Ensuring that these devices are available when and where they are needed is vital for device manufacturers, distributors and healthcare providers and, ultimately, for the patient. Here are some of the ways the proper software solution can transform the distribution process:
1. Real-time Inventory Management
Conventional inventory management systems are ill-suited to address the unique challenges posed by the distribution of implantable medical devices, encompassing both forward and reverse logistics. Consequently, these traditional approaches can result in avoidable inefficiencies, ranging from excessive stockpiling to inadequate provisioning of critical inventory, primarily due to the absence of comprehensive visibility. In contrast, specialized software solutions tailored for medical devices offer dynamic, real-time insights into inventory levels. This empowers medical device manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare facilities to meticulously monitor device availability and precisely track their usage. The result is a significant reduction in the risk of shortages, accompanied by the concurrent reduction of surplus inventory. This dual benefit not only yields cost savings but also contributes to a reduction in waste.
2. Demand Forecasting
Predicting the demand for medical devices is a challenging task, influenced by factors such as seasonality, new product launches, and technological advancements such as robotic surgeries and patient specific implants. Advanced software systems leverage data analytics to forecast demand more accurately. By analyzing historical data and current trends, and looking forward to surgeries scheduled in the future, these systems help medical device companies anticipate their needs, ensuring that essential devices are always available.
3. Efficient Order Processing
Manual order processing can be time-consuming and error-prone. Whether it’s a sales rep writing down on a piece of paper the reference numbers and lotcodes that were implanted into the patient, or a customer service agent typing it into the manufacturers ERP system, the potential for errors is compounded with every manual step in the process. With the proper software solution, med device companies and distributors can streamline the ordering process.
With the use of barcode scanning and drop-down lists for usage reporting, on-demand account specific pricing at time of use, and the ability to electronically share the sales order with the facility rep all before leaving the operating room, med device reps can spend a lot more time selling and a lot less time on administrative tasks. And with API integration, all of this data can be fed directly to the manufacturers ERP system without any additional keystrokes. This efficiency not only saves time but also reduces operational costs.
4. Traceability and Compliance
Medical device distribution is subject to strict regulatory requirements. The proper software solution can ensure compliance with these regulations by providing robust traceability features. Every step of the distribution process, from finished goods to implantation, can be documented and audited digitally. This not only helps medical device manufacturers and distributors meet regulatory standards but also enhances patient safety by mitigating the risk of implanting a recalled or expired item.
In conclusion, the integration of a medical device specific software solution like the WebOps Logistics® Platform into the distribution of medical devices will greatly improve supply chain efficiency. By providing real-time inventory management, demand forecasting, efficient order processing and traceability, our software solution is reshaping the way healthcare providers manage their supply chain. To learn more, reach out to us here:
Speed up your processes by using integrated barcode scanners to quickly receive inventory into your warehouse or consignment location. Whether it is a 1D, 2D or GS1 compliant barcode, by scanning using barcodes, inventory allocation is done quickly and precise.
When an implant is placed in the patient, easily capture what type of procedure it was, where it was implanted and the Record ID of the patient it was implanted in. Share this data internally or share it with your supplier and manufacturer partners to look for trends and product utilization rates.
The WebOps Dispensary App stores all attributes about a specific item including current location, department, cost to hospital and date received. Additionally you can include a “Due Back Timer” to help flag items that have been checked out but not returned in the required amount of time.
The WebOps Case Scheduling tool allows for Vendor Reps, Customer Service or a 3rd Party tool to create a surgical case in the WebOps Logistics Platform. With built in physician preference cards and product type dropdowns, the app cuts down on mistakes while speeding up the request process.
With the WebOps Logistics core platform, you can easily see requests for loaned inventory, allocate and ship sets, and receive the product back in after surgery using our processing screen and RFID capabilities. Additionally with our “Available-to-Promise” feature, Ops Staff and Sales Reps can get immediate feedback whether inventory will be available at time of request.
