PRODUCTS & SERVICES “We have entered into a period where partnerships will become a


cornerstone to success; that partnership may be an integrated delivery network (IDN), a distributor, a supply chain technology provider or some combination of these,” Turner indicated. “The key is to perform an hon- est gap analysis, then understand the value that each one brings via solution or resource. Your future state needs to account for tight and system-driven internal processes, robust documentation in adherence to CDC guidelines, and scalable transportation, storage and admission processes. We have worked with health systems to stand up emergency warehouses, review internal disaster readiness protocols, and modify existing processes to account for the volatile surge around the corner. With every project we encourage proven and established methods, and to lean on your partners when expertise is lacking internally.” Communication sits at the root of any partnership, according to Dar-


ren Marani, Senior Vice President, Non-acute and Inside Sales, Cardinal Health Inc. “The best advice is to work with the CDC, state Departments of Health,


and the existing pharmaceutical distributors to express concerns in the process and supply or demand needs. The feedback to these parties could be for additional staffing or more product,” he noted. “The CDC and state Departments of Health websites have the most


up-to-date information and distribution procedures available,” Marani continued. “Distributors then have access to wait lists for products. For example, the CDC and State Department of Health may enforce that vaccines are distributed only to retail pharmacies for the time being. Typically, facilities must have an agreement with the CDC to administer vaccines. When they have the agreement with the CDC, non-acute facili- ties and retail pharmacies can then partner with their distributor to be put on lists for vaccine distribution. The three pieces work together to get the location of the vaccine, but if a non-acute facility is unaware of the process, there is a break in distribution and lack of supply.” Non-acute facilities that may not have access to product should work as an advocate for patients by helping them with scheduling needs and education, according to Marani. “Most physician offices do not have access to vaccines right now, but


they can still help patients through education about vaccination options and support with scheduling,” he said. “Physician offices could supply patients with scheduling portals for retail pharmacies or assist patients with how to schedule appointments online. Patient care may not mean administering the vaccine in the office but enabling the patient to get access to the vaccination.” Marani further advises communicating with distributors to identify and plan for products related to vaccine administration, such as gloves and sharps. Ken Fleming, President, Logistyx, concurs that communication remains


key to any partnerships. “The most important aspect for facilities is constant communication,” Fleming insisted. “If they’re encountering issues, not receiving expected shipments on time or in the expected condition, it’s critical to communi- cate that to everyone up the chain, including state agencies overseeing vaccination programs, carriers and manufacturers to ensure those issues are being addressed and addressed quickly.” Any non-acute facility that seeks to gain access to COVID-19 vaccines should be working close with its local and state health departments to become a vaccine provider, according to Kim Garza, Vice President, National Accounts, Premier Alternate Site Programs. “These providers should appoint someone in their organization to


review program requirements and establish the necessary policies and procedures for vaccine storage, handling, administration and report- ing,” Garza noted. “Community pharmacies may also consider joining the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, designed to improve access to vaccine doses in communities and increase the speed of vaccinations for eligible populations.”


Reach out for national direction, according to Jamie Chasteen, Director of Corporate Development, Cold Chain Technologies. “Specific guidance from the national regulatory organizations [will]


provide not only best practice guidelines but also a detailed, vetted list of approved vendors and approved products to be used,” Chasteen said. “Organizations that have the necessary expertise could still run programs with the resources of their choosing, but others could simply run their programs based on federal guidance.” Chasteen also urges non-acute care facilities to think bigger and farther


out. “Beyond the current pandemic, we might continue to see non-acute


facilities play an important role in the distribution of therapies and vac- cines as we have learned the importance of community-level care,” he said. “Over the long run, it’s in everyone’s interest that our non-acute facilities have experience with cold-chain storage practices and access to the proper temperature assurance solutions.” Azra Behlim, Senior Director, Contract Services, Pharmacy, Vizient


Inc., recognizes that the federal government allocates vaccines to state governments. “Current quantity restrictions vary by geographic areas based on com-


plete allocation control residing with state health departments,” she said. “This authority was granted by the federal government, which purchased those doses and owns the doses. In the future, when manufacturers are able to directly sell the vaccine in the market, this challenge will no longer be present.” Still, Behlim offers four primary tips for non-acute supply logistics to


navigate this and future crises. 1. Engage in more accurate methods for prospective demand planning con- sidering variables such as population demographics in the areas they serve and other providers of the vaccine within a 15-mile radius.


2. Spend time looking at the supply chain management of ancillary supplies (e.g., syringes, swabs, bandages, etc.), calculate an accurate run-rate/burn- rate and define your parameters for safety stock.


3. Set up secondary suppliers for additional growth. 4. Review your current labor management structure and see what flexibility your current structure has for vaccine administration. Wesley Crampton, COO, Medspeed, quips that his company is in the


“driving things around for healthcare” business and that “many think of this space as simply moving items from point A to point B.” But this re- quires strategic and analytical viewpoints rooted in information, he insists. “In order for non-acute facilities to effectively distribute the vaccine in appropriate quantities to their patients, they need to understand the anticipated allocation and how much demand exists amongst their patients,” Crampton said. “While the allocations and timeline will be difficult to obtain from


state and federal programs, understanding current demand is possible,” he continued. “Some of MedSpeed’s customers have initiated proactive efforts to pre-register individuals to receive the vaccine through online tools, community outreach efforts and even outreach from primary care clinicians. This allows them to have a greater understanding of the indi- viduals in the community who need the vaccine and what phase each person will fall into based on the state criteria for prioritization. Having this data in hand, makes planning faster once vaccine allocation quanti- ties are available. “For non-acute facilities that are not affiliated with a health system,


we would advise them to work with their state to solicit health system support for the storage and redistribution of vaccines,” Crampton added. “Health systems have the experience, capacity and better access to the tools required for efficient and organized planning and distribution. Often, health systems also have the logistics infrastructure to support these efforts, as they have complex supply chain systems which are built to manage product availability through constantly changing supply and demand levels.”


hpnonline.com • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • May 2021 45


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