August 31, 2022 – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) is one of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson’s mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world. The organization does this through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention.
With one of the largest and densest concentrations of cancer patients in the world, MD Anderson’s job of providing an adequate and consistent supply of quality personal protective equipment (PPE) took on an even greater significance. “The effect on the supply chain was a hyperfocus on all products needed to ensure the safety of our patients resulting in sourcing from non-traditional sources, increased inventory and the expanded distribution of various products,” said MD Anderson Chief Procurement Officer Calvin Wright.
While hospitals across the globe had issues with PPE, MD Anderson had to be extra cautious due to its patient population. Many of its patients are immunocompromised, even if they’re in the hospital for a non-cancer related issue like a spinal fusion or a cardiac event. This required MD Anderson to be overly conservative to protect the safety of its patients. For example, restricting visitors and utilizing N95 masks and Power Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).
Working with MD Anderson’s IT leadership, disparate data systems were synchronized to provide a daily institutional dashboard on PPE inventory levels, days on hand and utilization rates. Another supply chain team member, Value Analysis Program Director Renato Maclan, facilitated a daily supply chain briefing for more than 100 weeks in which any safety concerns related to supplies (stockouts, substitutions, backorders, recalls, etc.) were addressed immediately to prevent impact to patients and clinicians. “We like to say Renato was the ‘glue’ that kept our supply chain responsiveness focused and together,” Wright said. “He is just one of the individual heroes from the supply chain organization that worked endless hours and absolutely refused to relent to protect patients and staff.”
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