Improving Healthcare Logistics Processes

Healthcare costs are increasing due to an ageing population and more sophisticated technologies and treatments. At the same time, patients expect high quality care at an affordable cost. The healthcare industry has therefore experienced increasing pressures to reduce the cost of healthcare provision whilst providing high quality care. Logistics activities in hospitals provide a significant opportunity for cost containment in healthcare through the implementation of best practices.

Literature provides little guidance on how to improve healthcare logistics processes. This study investigates logistics processes in hospitals and aims to provide theoretically and empirically based evidence for improving these processes to both expand the knowledge base of healthcare logistics and provide a decision tool for hospital logistics managers to improve their processes.

Case studies were conducted at hospitals in Denmark and the US investigating
three different types of processes: bed logistics, hospital cleaning, and pharmaceutical distribution. Based on an analysis and comparison of the case studies, a set of factors were identified influencing the decision on how to improve healthcare logistics processes. Furthermore, a method for benchmarking healthcare logistics processes was developed. Finally, a theoretically and empirically founded framework was developed to support managers in making an informed decision on how to improve healthcare logistics processes.

This study contributes to the limited literature concerned with the improvement
of logistics processes in hospitals. Furthermore, the developed framework provides guidance for logistics managers in hospitals on how to improve their processes given the circumstances in which they operate.