In recent years, global supply chain struggles have hit healthcare hard. Supply shortages and shipping bottlenecks have made it more difficult for hospital administrators to have what they need when they need it in order to provide the best possible care for patients.
To more effectively manage a complex healthcare supply chain, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution is an invaluable tool for healthcare institutions.
ERP software provides a unified platform that a healthcare organization can use to manage key areas in a clear and integrated format. These include:
- Supply chains
- Financial records
- Human resources
A hospital team that uses an ERP solution enjoys efficient, streamlined operations. Data is shared seamlessly across different departments and staff levels, while mundane manual tasks are simplified or eliminated.
Here are a few key benefits of using an ERP solution for hospital supply chain management.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Implementing an ERP system can create efficiency improvements throughout your entire supply chain workflow. In particular, your ERP software system will:
- Provide detailed and easily-understood real-time data
- Make it possible to automate more tasks
Supply chain task automation eliminates many human errors, reduces time demands on staff, and improves operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the availability of raw and curated real-time data helps team leaders to make better-informed decisions, such as materials purchases or staffing plans. The result is a more streamlined supply chain that makes the best use of hospital funds and employee work hours.
Easier Inventory Management
Inventory management in a hospital is an ongoing and demanding workflow. The stakes are always high, since having the right materials readily available is essential for patient care, including life-saving emergency care.
With enterprise resource planning, inventory management becomes more detailed and precise, but with fewer manual operations. Staff can easily track and update records in real time so that you always know exactly what you have and what you need. This allows your team to identify cost savings and make more efficient use of funds, staff time, and physical space.
Additionally, an ERP system can automate replenishment orders whenever supply stores drop below certain levels. This type of automation reduces the risk of human error and helps to prevent supply chain surpluses or shortages.
Reduced Supply Chain Costs
Using an ERP system helps reduce costs in a hospital’s supply chain workflow. Cost-saving improvements include:
- Reduced staff hours spent on data entry, inventory management, billing, and invoicing
- Reduced paper waste
- Improved ordering efficiency and optimized use of storage space
Relationships with material suppliers become simpler and more efficient. For example, two separate orders may be replaced by one larger, well-timed order once your inventory management becomes more precise and reliable thanks to ERP.
Enhanced Customer Service and Patient Care
Enterprise resource planning is concerned primarily with the administrative and financial aspects of hospital operations. However, ERP software solutions can have direct improvements in customer service and patient care.
By improving your staff’s visibility into your hospital’s administrative operations, more accurate and helpful communication is possible with patients and their loved ones. At their fingertips, administrative staff and care providers are equipped with all of the details they need regarding materials inventories, staff scheduling, and other key areas that improve communications.
When your staff is able to track and utilize their resources effectively, this allows them to provide an elevated level of patient care. In turn, this can also increase your customer satisfaction and help grow your hospital’s reputation within your market.
Competitive Edge
Finally, using an ERP system for supply chain management helps improve your hospital’s competitive edge in your geographic region.
By offering real-time data visibility and improving operational efficiency, your healthcare organization can experience improvements in all areas, from financials to patient satisfaction. Enterprise resource planning uses a single platform to help your team continuously innovate and strategize, positioning your hospital for sustained success.
Improve Your Supply Chain Management With an ERP Software Solution
At Integrative, our accounting and ERP software helps hospital administrators make faster and better decisions. From supply chain management to human resources, our ERP solutions enable confident leadership and empowered workers.
Our enterprise resource planning software was designed with the unique needs of hospital supply chains in mind. You need dynamic data that tracks changes in real-time, clearly presenting the information you need to make complex daily supply chain choices.
To learn more about our accounting and ERP software, contact Integrative, A Harris Healthcare company, today to request a product demonstration.
