Smoothing It Out: Military Health Care Supply Chain in Transition. Issue 3 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramos, George; Schneller, Eugene S.
• Is Part Of: Hospital topics. Volume 100:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 132
• Page End: 139
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Supply chain -- integration -- military medical health care -- mergers -- cost avoidance -- fully integrated supply chain organization (FISCO); Hospitals -- Administration -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; 362.11068
• DOI: 10.1080/00185868.2021.1927923
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0018-5868

Abstract

Abstract: Health care provision in the US can be characterized by its ongoing consolidation of systems and facilities in its efforts to achieve clinical and business integration. An important goal in health care systems is integration to reduce fragmentation and gain value. Functional integration has a long history of association with clinical performance. Supply chain can dramatically support the goals of cost avoidance, improved clinical outcomes, and buffer the system from external dependencies. This paper examines the efforts by the Department of Defense to consolidate the medical supply chain and explores lessons for and from the civilian health sector supply chain.