Supply Chain Management in the Healthcare Institution Research Paper - 5

Supply Chain Management in the Healthcare Institution - Research Paper Example This can be attributed to the fact that world health bodies frequently update the global stock in medical supplies depending on the emerging trends (Toba, Tomasini & Farhan, 2008). Hospitals rely on these changes in the ordering of medical supplies. However, the quality of the supplies does not create the main problem in supply chain management, but the activities applied to the supply chain management. The difference in the strategies used in supply chain management creates the difference in the cost and efficiency of the process (Toba, Tomasini & Farhan, 2008). Disregard of the process of supply chain management creates the main challenge in making the process efficient and quality. To overcome these challenges Toba, Tomasini & Farhan (2008) suggest that managers should update their technological position and emerging trends in supply chain management. This will create an organization with a lot of sensitivity in terms of coming up with effective logistics procedures. Additionally, this will open up opportunities for the organization to refer to supply chain management bodies and programs that will aid in transforming the state of supply management systems in organizations. Other significant challenges in supply chain management in healthcare institutions include outdated IT systems, lack of executive involvement, poor infrastructure, poor distribution and inventory management and non-improvement of the procurement process (Toba, Tomasini & Farhan, 2008). In overcoming challenges in decision-making processes regarding purchasing decisions, Toba, Tomasini & Farhan (2008) advise that institutions should disregard the majority rule. This mode of making decisions should be replaced by the consensus method which minimizes the occurrence of misunderstandings and opposition. This also increases the compliance rate from physicians.