Packaging, supply & logistics
Cloud-based solutions are transforming the healthcare supply chain, breaking down silos and enabling better data flow, efficiency and resilience.
Though concerns linger when it comes to cloud- based solutions. Security is usually at the top of that list, but much has been done to mitigate that risk. Initially, the cloud was thought to be a no-go because people perceived that they would have less control over their data, and that it would be less secure. According to the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), cyber incidents in healthcare are rising. From 2018–2022, there was a 93% increase in large breaches reported to OCR (369 to 712), with a 278% increase in large breaches involving ransomware. Cyber incidents affecting hospitals and health systems have led to extended care disruptions, patient diversions to other facilities, and delayed medical procedures, all putting patient safety at risk. Fortunately, the huge tech companies running public cloud services are able to invest huge sums to promote both resilience and security, which benefits everyone.
“There are some who hold a level of apprehension knowing that the data is [not being stored on their own system], particularly in healthcare where data is very sensitive,” says Shegewi. “That is a lingering concern, as are downtime, service disruption, and data loss, but there is a move to the cloud across healthcare. There is still a lot of private cloud infrastructure, but many are moving to public cloud.”
The shift to cloud-based SCM For many observers, it will be hard to slow the move to cloud-based services in the healthcare sector. There will be some debate around whether public or private cloud infrastructure is best, and the answer
92
will depend on the context. In some areas, there is a move from public to private because no one size fits all, and some healthcare providers want an extra layer of security. The sheer scale and resiliency of public cloud infrastructure, however, is a big draw. “The choice comes down to risk, probability and the addition of core competencies,” says Randall. “If a major healthcare provider has a core competency in cloud computing or cloud storage – and a case could be made for a healthcare provider to have such competencies – then it may wish to use a private cloud. If those conditions are not met, then it is likely that it would use a public provider like AWS.” Whether public or private, the fact remains that the cloud can do a lot to make supply chains better. Ultimately, it allows everyone to move in a coordinated fashion. Even in cases where there are very few suppliers, as with the IV fluids example, and there is not a lot of choice, the cloud might still help with supply and demand prediction, as well as identifying any possible constraints across the chain. It enables organisations to step back strategically and foresee risks, assess potential disruptions, and improve risk management. “There are many success stories,” says Shegewi. He gives an example: hospital networks are using predictive analytics driven via the cloud to anticipate demand and eliminate waste. Cloud-based SCM is all but inevitable in healthcare. Its benefits in terms of performance, scalability and resilience make it the best way to unlock the value of data from the many partners that make a supply chain work. The question now is when, not if, organisations will take the plunge. ●
Medical Device Developments /
www.medicaldevice-developments.com
ART STOCK CREATIVE/
Shutterstock.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
