Got data? How healthcare operations can counteract supply chain challenges

Healthcare relies on medicines, machines, and medical supplies. It also requires energy and building materials. These days, a gap between demand and available supply can directly affect patients and workers.

For maintenance and operations (M&O) leaders, keeping hospitals and medical facilities running smoothly means staying two steps ahead of inventory ordering, work order management, compliance inspections and a cache of other responsibilities—a challenge when faced with the uncertainties of the supply chain. To help manage the day-to-day and long-term needs of a healthcare organization’s operations, facilities professionals can optimize workflows and asset management, so long as they have the right tools.

TL;DR: supply chain challenges affect every industry and every department—healthcare is not immune. Luckily, technology can help M&O managers to literally cover the hospital or medical facility grounds to ensure nothing falls through the operational cracks.

A dose of data keeps the operational costs at bay

When you picture a healthcare organization’s operations manager, you’re probably thinking of someone with an inherent knowledge of how things work and how to fix them. This person probably knows all the ins and outs of the facilities or buildings. And, as hiring difficulties continue to percolate, they’re probably keeping everything running with minimal support.

Now imagine giving this professional not only the capability to capture all the information coming off the assets in the ecosystem, but a dashboard to analyze the insights to make the best decisions—necessary when parts both cost more and take longer to arrive.

With technology, amidst supply chain or hiring issues, your M&O leader can continue to do all the necessary tasks to keep your hospital or medical facility functioning — while saving a few bucks. (And, as a bonus, use the latest tech to lure the next generation of operations professionals).

Data is the key to optimized operations that keep patients and workers safe. When your M&O department can manage preventive maintenance, track work orders and assets, and stay on top of compliance in one place, it’s easier to negate the side effects of a complicated supply chain.

CMMS: Smart tools for smart operations

A comprehensive computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) can gather all the operational data from your healthcare organization into one, centralized location. A cloud-based system can help with activities, such as:

• Compliance reporting - Cloud systems help healthcare facilities stay on the right side of federal and state regulations by offering automated compliance reporting capabilities. If an organization tracks patient discharge times, for example, a system that also monitors bed occupancy can help ensure compliance regarding hospital bed use.
• Preventive maintenance - Healthcare facilities can track their equipment usage and set reminders for when parts need replacing or repairs are needed. By scheduling repairs before malfunctions occur, they reduce expenses, improve efficiency and avoid downtime.
• Asset monitoring - Real-time visibility into asset lifecycles can optimize usage and reduce waste. Cloud solutions also make it easier to share information across departments, eliminating silos that can lead to redundant workflows or even mistakes in patient care.
• Capital planning - M&O leaders need a way to anticipate demand and understand how best to manage their asset portfolio. Cloud-based systems offer the ability to make forecasts based on historical data and provide analytics that help in making informed decisions about stock levels and replenishment cycles.

Technology enables facilities managers to manage their many responsibilities proactively while ultimately saving time and money over the long run.

Energy management software can deliver valuable insight

Another expensive area for hospitals and healthcare systems affected by the supply chain is the energy bill. An energy management solution can empower facility managers to identify utility waste, take appropriate actions and make overall smarter operational decisions.

At a time when costs are high across the board, accurately identifying where waste is happening can be a game changer for organizations keeping a close eye on the bottom line. Energy management software can help monitor utility functions, such as:

• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Fuel oil
• Propane
• Coal
• Water
• Wastewater
• and more

Looking on the Brightly side of supply chain challenges

Hospitals and healthcare facilities provide critical services to the communities they serve, and unfortunately, the long waits, higher goods pricing and other disadvantages of supply chain issues apply to these vital organizations. Modernizing operations is an effective way to get in front of the costs and uncertainties.

Brightly deeply understands the environment facing healthcare, and we’ve created solutions designed specifically for this industry. By taking the power of connected assets and enhanced visibility and placing it into the hands of your operational professionals, we’re helping hospitals and other medical facilities to act proactively and strategically to take care of people — even when the supply chain makes it difficult.

Ready for an operational healthcare solution that lets you put the focus on the patients? Reach out to one of our experts at Brightly for a demo today.