Boxed up and locked up, safe and tight! Making the case for unattended electronic locker bank logistics for an innovative solution to NHS hospital supplies (UK). (12th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey, Gavin; Cherrett, Tom; Waterson, Ben; Breen, Liz; Long, Robert
• Is Part Of: International journal of procurement management. Volume 8:Number 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2014-12-12
• Subjects: supply chain -- bullwhip effect -- optimisation -- out-of-hours delivery -- healthcare -- hospital logistics -- unattended locker boxes -- stockless inventory -- procurement; Industrial procurement -- Management -- Periodicals; Industrial procurement -- Electronic information resources -- Periodicals; Business logistics -- Periodicals; 658.7205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-8432

Abstract

The lack of separation between urgent and non-urgent medical goods encourages sub-optimal vehicle fleet operations owing to the time critical nature of urgent items. An unattended electronic locker bank, to which individual urgent items can be delivered thereby separating urgent and non-urgent supply, was proposed for the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, UK. This concept was quantified using 'basic' and 'intuitive' hill climbing optimisation models; and qualitatively using staff interviews and expert reviews. Results indicated that a locker bank with a fixed height (1.7 m) and depth (0.8 m) required a length of 4 m (basic model) and 3.63 m (intuitive model), to accommodate 100% of urgent consignments for a typical week. Staff interviews indicated the wider benefits such as staff personal deliveries.