Editor's Note A new survey from ECRI finds that shortages of medications and medical supplies and equipment are harming patients, the nonprofit organization reported in an October 13 news release. ECRI surveyed nearly 200 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, procurement specialists, physicians, and nurses in July 2023. Following are some takeaways from…

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Editor's Note ECRI, on August 2, announced the 12 winners of its 2023 Healthcare Supply Chain Excellence Award. The annual award recognizes healthcare organizations that achieve excellence in overall spend management and adoption of best practice solutions into their supply chain processes. The winners in alphabetical order are: Adventist Health…

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Editor's Note In a June 27 letter, the American Hospital Association (AHA) urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “to avoid disrupting healthcare delivery through the unintentional fracturing” of the medical device supply chain with its proposed ethylene oxide (EtO) standards. The EPA proposes: reducing EtO emissions by 80% adding new…

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Editor's Note ECRI, on May 18, announced the winners of its annual 2023 Alerts Impact Award. The Award is given to members of ECRI’s Alerts Workflow system for excellence in recall management. The system’s software is used by supply chain, clinical engineering, IT, pharmacy, lab, clinical departments, and ancillary-care points…

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Editor's Note As supply chain challenges remain a top concern for health leaders in 2023, ECRI Institute shared three strategies to reduce wasted cost and maximize savings on February 28. Identify substitute products. Consider lower cost, functionally equivalent products and alternative suppliers. Work towards supply chain standardization. Access utilization. Review…

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Editor’s Note "The pandemic is to healthcare what 9/11 was to the transportation industry. Just like you will never fly the same way, you will never get your hip replacement the same way," Andrew Martin, MSN, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Analyst / Consultant, ECRI Institute, told the audience in the…

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Editor's Note Vials of the chemotherapy drug fludarabine could be purchased at a whole sale price of $110 last year—today, it is being sold for a much higher price, Fierce Pharma November 1 reports. One company, Areva Pharmeceuticals, increased the price to $2,736, Stat News reported on October 27. This…

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Editor's Note This week—October 2 to 8—is National Healthcare Supply Chain week (or SC Week). The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), a member of the American Hospital Association and a membership group for healthcare supply chain professionals, shared tips and best practices for how to recognize and…

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Editor's Note On August 3, ECRI announced the winners of its eleventh annual Healthcare Supply Chain Excellence Award. The award recognizes healthcare organizations that achieve excellence in overall spend management and that adopt best practice solutions into their supply chain processes. The eleven winners are: Broward Health, Fort Lauderdale, Florida…

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Editor's Note The Biden administration will begin a COVID-19 booster campaign for revamped vaccines in September, the New York Times July 28 reports. This new booster is predicted to provide more extensive protection against the Omicron subvariants. Federal officials made the decision that individuals over 50 and those over 12…

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