Pick and Pack: a just-in-time forms order and delivery system.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Hospital Operations

Background:

• The University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham (UAB) initially relied on its in-plant print shop, overlooking external Just-In-Time (JIT) purchasing.
• A successful medical/surgical JIT system prompted a re-evaluation of forms inventory management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a JIT forms inventory system by integrating the in-plant print shop with an outside supplier.
• To streamline the procurement and delivery of essential hospital forms.

Main Methods:

• The 'Pick and Pack' system was developed, involving an outside supplier who purchased forms from the UAB Print Shop and produced custom forms.
• The supplier managed warehousing, picking, packing per patient care unit orders, and delivery to UAB Material Management.
• On-line requisitioning was established for patient care units, Material Management, and the supplier.

Main Results:

• The receiving process was transformed from time-consuming and labor-intensive to a one-person operation.
• Estimated reduction in forms inventory value by $90,000.
• Approximately 2,160 cubic feet of storage space was freed for other uses.

Conclusions:

• The 'Pick and Pack' JIT system successfully optimized forms inventory management at UAB.
• The collaborative approach between the in-plant print shop and an external supplier yielded significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.
• This model demonstrates a viable strategy for improving hospital supply chain logistics.