The impact of digitalization in the drugs logistics and clinical process: an Italian case study

Abstract

Objectives. The paper highlights the benefits of the digitalization of the drugs logistics process and its business and organizational impacts in an Italian public healthcare organization. M ore studies are supporting the thesis that the introduction of automated processes in healthcare has become strategic in order to improve patient safety and to reduce the drugs expenditure. Methodology. The research is based on a qualitative method - a single case study - and on connected semi-structured interviews. Findings. The case study emphasizes how the reorganization of the drugs logistics process can benefit from digitalization in terms of efficiency and efficacy of the organization, error reduction and better quality of service to the patients. Research limits. The major limitations of this work are that the analysis has focused only on one case of innovation and in only two wards. However, the case study is the most important example of innovation in the drugs logistic management in the Italian context so we decided to focus on it, taking into account that we still are in an initial stage of our research. Practical implications. Policy maker and public healthcare sector managers if are desirous of improving patient care quality and cost reduction, then the promotion of sustainable health systems is important. This can be achieved by public healthcare sector managers using the new digital technologies that facilitate prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, facilitate patient safety, improving coordination and resource utilization. Originality of the study. To our knowledge it is rare to find articles trying to estimate the impact of the digitalization of the drugs logistics and clinical processes in Italy. This work therefore represents one of the first attempts to do so.