Breakout Session 8: Medical Supply Chain and Pharmacy Management in Alternate Care Facilities

The Supply Chain and Pharmacy breakout session focused on participants' real-world experience with supply chain and pharmaceutical needs for their alternate care facility (ACF). This included details around acquisition and utilization of durable medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), consumables, and pharmacy stock. Participants were encouraged to discuss supply chain management considerations, resource allocation and acquisition, and influencing factors that impacted these topics. Participants explored various approaches to obtain medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, including leveraging existing vendor relationships and establishing climate-controlled storage spaces, while emphasizing the importance of electronic tracking systems and documentation. The overarching goal was to focus on what participants did and how deficiencies were managed. The discussion covered challenges in healthcare coordination during disasters, including supply chain issues, the management of unsolicited donations and volunteers, and the need for innovative solutions like drones and alternative medical applications, concluding with reflections on regulatory oversight and opportunities for process and systems improvements. The group identified several key gaps in emergency response systems, particularly the disconnect between emergency management agencies and healthcare systems, while emphasizing the need for qualified liaisons, just-in-time training, and systematic approaches to ensure effective medical resource management during crises.