Why facilities depend on reliable deliveries
Understanding why facilities depend on reliable deliveries is a must. In an age of online ordering and quick delivery systems, the pharmaceutical distribution industry is smack dab in the thick of things. Hardly any patient worries if a hospital or pharmacy will have their medicine in stock and available for pickup. There’s always stock or a backup plan. The main reason why pharmacies and hospitals are stocked so well is due to the efficiency gained with transportation and delivery of products. We understand why your facilities depend on reliable deliveries. This article will delve further into this topic.
Come rain, snow, or shine – your medicine will be likely available when you need it as millions of drugs and supplies are delivered daily. The current healthcare systems across the United States are becoming larger and more complex. Each hospital, doctor’s office, and pharmacy has its own delivery needs, and standardizing things has become a bit more complicated.
Some of the things that complicate delivery systems in healthcare include all the additional sites for drivers to attend to. We are talking about outpatient pharmacies, urgent-care centers, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practices. The sites are increasing in number and across a wider geographical location. Just think about how many urgent care centers and pharmacies are within a few miles of your own home!
Beyond the locations are also the diversity in supplies. Drivers do not know what are in the totes they are delivering for security purposes. The pharmaceutical distributors do know what is in each tote. And it is the job of the distributor to make sure each tote gets to its destination on time and with the correct supplies.
Efficiency becomes one of the greatest challenges for reliable deliveries. This is not a system where money can be tossed at it and it will run smoothly. The proper strategies must be implemented in order to ensure that the diverse supplies reach the proper destinations.
Some of these strategies include things like scheduling technology. Delivery drivers have the technology to map out a route that is efficient, but technology can be squelched by traffic conditions, road construction, weather, staffing issues and other factors. The best routes and patterns are obviously continually used, but must also be updated for changes. When delivery and transportation is constantly monitored for optimal performance, everyone wins.
There are still more strategies that delivery drivers must develop in order to make the most of their time. For instance, with bustling and busy hospitals, they sometimes have to fight for dock space. Some delivery drivers anticipate this issue and find other places to park and make the drop. They might put extra miles on their shoes, but they can save big on time instead of waiting for a spot to open up.
In addition to these strategies also comes the anticipation of things like weather, that can obviously disrupt services. Many pharmaceutical distributors are well aware of the potential for weather to make an impact on inventory and delivery. Some of these steps they take to ensure that deliveries are still able to reach patients include:
- Delivering additional medications in advance of weather or an emergency need.
- Creating new delivery routes in anticipation of poor driving conditions.
- Providing consultation to local pharmacies
- Increasing capacity and using alternative manufacturers
- Collaborating with all aspects of the supply chain
The connection between reliable deliveries and patients
Patients may never physically see a delivery being made or really understand what goes on behind closed doors. They usually have no clue how their medicine or medical equipment flowed through the supply chain. However, the value of the pharmaceutical is high. The value is not only in terms of cost, but they are of the utmost importance clinically. Many items are time-sensitive and require special handling and delivery. The value they provide in relief and in health is also priceless.
Staying on top of Supply Chains and Trends
Believe it or not, there is a shortage of delivery drivers in the supply chain. A few reasons why include the fact that young people do not want to be drivers. Many are opting for rideshare opportunities instead. Additionally, online retailers are taking up drivers to offer that next-day delivery service of retail goods. The options that are left are to pay drivers a lot more money or find another delivery method. Many distributors will have a choice to make in how their products are delivered.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, delivery drivers play an essential role in the supply chain. They have some of the most strategic games to play in the industry. Their role is completely priceless and invaluable to pharmacies, long-term care facilities, hospitals, etc. Even though patients rarely see the work that goes into creating the perfect supply chain, they benefit the most out of the well-oiled machine.