Procurement Of Medical Devices Research Articles

Realising the promise of value-based purchasing: experimental evidence of medical device selection

Purpose Despite the unparalleled importance of value within healthcare, value-based models remain underutilised in the procurement of medical devices. Research is needed to understand what factors incentivise standard, low-priced device purchasing as opposed to value-adding devices with potentially higher overall health outcomes. Framed in agency theory, we examine the conditions under which different actors involved in purchasing decisions select premium-priced, value-adding medical devices over low-priced, standard medical devices.Design/methodology/approach We conducted 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects scenario-based vignette experiments on three UK-based online samples of managers (n = 599), medical professionals (n = 279) and purchasing managers (n = 449) with subjects randomly assigned to three treatments: (1) cost-saving incentives, (2) risk-sharing contracts and (3) stronger (versus weaker) clinical evidence.Findings Our analysis demonstrates the harmful effects of intra-organisational cost-saving incentives on value-based purchasing (VBP) adoption; the positive impact of inter-organisational risk-sharing contracts, especially when medical professionals are involved in decision-making; and the challenge of leveraging clinical evidence to support value claims.Research limitations/implications Our results demonstrate the need to align incentives in a context with multiple intra- and inter-organisational agency relationships at play, as well as the difficulty of reducing information asymmetry when information is not easily interpretable to all decision-makers. Overall, the intra-organisational agency factors strongly influenced the choices for the inter-organisational agency relationship.Originality/value We contribute to VBP in healthcare by examining the role of intra- and inter-organisational agency relationships and incentives concerning VBP (non-) adoption. We also examine how the impact of such mechanisms differs between medical and purchasing (management) professionals.

A view from the eye of the storm: An analytic autoethnographic account of ventilator procurement during COVID-19 first wave

An unprecedented spike in the demand for ventilators during the first wave of the COVID-19 caused significant disruption to the global supply and demand chain of medical devices. The characteristics of the disruption forced the Irish national health service to deviate from an established purchasing process as it pursued its objective of securing the delivery of ventilators for its ICUs. Utilising analytical autoethnography, this study presents a narrative account of the lead author's experiences (as a clinical procurement director) during the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis, with the objective of analysing the improvised resilient response of the medical device procurement function of the national health service. Incorporating process analysis to shape the narrative, four process deviations are identified and analysed using organisational mindfulness. The study provides a rich insight for practitioners and researchers into the realities of crisis response, with specific contributions to the field of resilience implementation through organisational mindfulness.

Sustainable procurement of medical devices in an international context - Part 3

Background and Objectives This article is the third in a series of three manuscripts published in this journal. It aims to describe how sustainable procurement of medical devices (MDs) can be implemented in operational projects in the context of developing countries. It also further details how the biomedical/clinical engineer lead (BCEL) in charge of technical support during the MD procurement process can apply sustainability principles and concepts of value-based procurement. Material and Methods Based on the authors’ experience of more than 20 years in procurement projects and implementation of MDs, the role of the BCEL will be developed from a theoretical point of view with the description of the second and third pillars of a sustainable purchase following the needs assessment: the assessment of existing conditions along with local capacities and the evaluation of the use conditions during the lifetime of the medical equipment. The application of these principles in operational projects will be further discussed by analyzing literature and lessons learned from projects implemented in developing countries. Results/Proposal The BCEL has a key role in the sustainable procurement of MDs to design the technical specifications of the goods, related services, and post-sales conditions to maximize the benefit of the investment. As the specialist can analyze the local existing conditions and capacities while ensuring efficient use of the MDs during their lifespan, they can contribute to a sustainable implementation of MDs in developing countries. The BCEL shall also be able to analyze the local and international markets to find all possible technological solutions that meet the needs, local conditions, and capacities and ensure quality use during the lifespan of the purchased MD. The BCEL shall have competencies in identifying all the risks related to the use of the MD from the safety risks linked to its installation, use, and maintenance to the sustainability risks linked to obtaining the conditions that guarantee the use of the device and maintaining them as long as possible. Examples of these conditions include the presence of qualified and trained users, availability of maintenance and consumable budgets, availability and maintenance of infrastructure conditions (access, electrical power, water, drainage, medical gasses, etc.), and last but not least, presence of patients requiring a diagnosis or treatment using the purchased MD who were identified during the evaluation of the first pillar: a sound needs assessment. Conclusion As an evolution of the BCEL’s traditional biomedical and clinical engineering work, he/she shall assume the responsibility to guarantee the sustainability of the MD purchase. This quality assurance and control role is achieved by a sound theoretical background knowledge based on the three sustainable procurement pillars: the needs, existing and lifetime use conditions assessments, the analysis of the local and international markets, and a broad understanding of sustainability risks.

Biomedical Engineering Education in Nigeria

In the past five decades, Nigeria has witnessed a range of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and technology activities within private and public hospitals, research institutions, and a limited number of universities. These have mainly centred on the procurement, installation, and maintenance of medical equipment and devices. Trained technologists and technicians, equipped with relevant skills and certification, have primarily spearheaded these efforts. Consequently, the country has made a minimal contribution to the global knowledge base in BME research. However, academic programmes leading to degrees and dedicated research in BME have recently emerged within Nigerian universities. This article assesses the current state of BME education in the country, including the milestones achieved, ongoing challenges, and prospects for future development. It draws on a critical analysis of the existing literature on BME practices and education in Nigeria as well as the author’s informed perspective. The findings highlight that BME education in Nigeria is yet to match international standards. To further develop these programmes, it recommends that attention focus on seven key areas that have proven instrumental in the development of similar university programmes in developed nations. Strategies are also proposed to foster collaboration among universities, researchers, the health sector, and government entities that would promote interdisciplinary BME education, ultimately enhancing the healthcare delivery system, and research and development (R&D) in Nigeria.

Regulatory and legal regulation and monitoring of procurement of medicines and medical devices under a state of martial law

The national policy of public procurement in the health sector is based on its strategic importance in meeting urgent needs related to the safety of life and health of people. In the context of limited funding and growing needs of the healthcare system under martial law, it is extremely important to rationally use budget funds for the procurement of medicines with proven effectiveness and economic feasibility on the basis of HTA. The main problem of the medical procurement system is the imperfection of the regulatory framework and the lack of a clear and consistent position on the use of regulatory lists. The purpose of the study is to investigate the peculiarities of legal regulation and to monitor medical procurement under martial law. The research was based on the analysis of the legal framework, scientific and advisory publications, statistical and analytical data. According to the current legislation, medical procurement is carried out in the priority areas defined by the government, taking into account the estimated needs and allocated funding. One of the key problems is the formation and application of regulatory lists based on the results of the state HTA, and the regulation of procurement outside the National List is also relevant. An analysis of the structure and dynamics of centralized procurement for 2021–2023 was carried out. It was found that in terms of the number of ordered/purchased items and procurement amounts, adult oncology and cardiovascular diseases occupy leading positions. To ensure patients' access to high-cost innovative medicines, MEAs are used, and the current list contains 11 medicines that have passed the state HTA. Under martial law, decentralized medical procurement (at the regional level) is carried out using the procedure of requesting the price of proposals through Prozorro Market if the expected cost of procurement is more than UAH 50 thousand. The e-catalog includes 91 names of medical devices and 400 INN of medicinal products included in the National List, but not all of them are included in the State Formulary. Procurement under the price request procedure has proven to be effective by simplifying and shortening procedures, increasing competition and reducing prices. At the same time, the problem of harmonization of regulatory lists requires a systematic solution.

Sustainable procurement of medical devices in an international context - Part 2

Background and Objectives: This article describes how sustainable procurement of medical devices (MDs) can be implemented in operational projects in developing countries. It also further details how sustainability principles and the needs assessment can be applied by the biomedical/clinical engineer lead (BCEL) responsible for the technical and quality aspects of the procurement process of MDs. It also emphasizes the importance of the BCEL considering the country’s or region’s specific healthcare context when working on MD procurement projects in developing countries.Material and Methods: This article describes how sustainable procurement of medical devices (MDs) can be implemented in operational projects in developing countries. It also further details how sustainability principles and the needs assessment can be applied by the biomedical/clinical engineer lead (BCEL) responsible for the technical and quality aspects of the procurement process of MDs. It also emphasizes the importance of the BCEL considering the country’s or region’s specific healthcare context when working on MD procurement projects in developing countries.Results: The BCEL has a key role in the sustainable procurement of MDs as an integrator able to understand clinical needs and translate them into requirements while being aware of the sustainability and safety risks linked to technology implemented in the fragile environment of a developing country with limited resources. This context also creates additional challenges that can be managed if the BCEL is conscious of the country’s health expenditure, geopolitical, healthcare, model of care, regulatory, infrastructure, and logistical conditions in which the MDs will be installed. Many equipment may remain unused if the technology implementation is not in line with the needs of the beneficiaries. Therefore, a thorough needs assessment performed by the BCEL to obtain the detailed list of MDs, their technological level and estimated budget is of utmost importance to increase the project’s sustainability and mitigate the risk of unused MDs.Conclusion: Besides traditional disciplines in biomedical and clinical engineering, the BCEL shall also learn at least basic principles in public health, healthcare planning, project management, health infrastructure, and development aid to facilitate the dialogue with stakeholders based on knowledge, flexibility, and capacity to anticipate and solve practical issues on the ground. To this extent, it is advisable for a BCEL new to the environment of developing countries to have progressive exposure to more complex projects and to extensively use the peer review mechanism to assure sustainability and quality during project implementation. A theoretical background based on sustainable procurement principles, analysis of the local and national health context and regulations, and knowledge of lessons learned from past projects should guide the BCEL’s approach to performing the needs assessment while implementing a new project.

Implementation of Lean Service Approaches to Improve Customer Satisfaction and Sustainability of Health Equipment Procurement Process at Hospitals

Purpose: This study aims to identify the waste that occurs in the process of procuring medical equipment and provide suggestions for improvements to reduce waste in achieving customer satisfaction. Methodology/Approach: This study uses a lean service approach with the value stream mapping (VSM) method which is in the refinement stage combined with the Kaizen method. Findings: This research found waste that occurs in the process of procuring medical devices called creating a project and admin invoicing. Increased customer satisfaction with evidence of a decrease in the number of complaints by 44.5%. Meanwhile, the lead time for the procurement of medical devices decreased by 34.2%. Research Limitation/implication: This research has several problem formulations that occur in the manufacturing industry in the process of procuring medical equipment. This research will identify the types of waste that occur in the process of procuring medical devices and find solutions to reduce waste in achieving customer satisfaction so that there will be continuity in the procurement of medical devices. Originality/Value of paper: Shorten the time to procure medical devices by using a lean service approach combined with the FGD method with experts in the logistics and health fields. Besides that, it also uses several Kaizen methods such as Fishbone, FMEA, and 5W+1H, and its control uses SOP. Category: A case study

OP107 Streamlining Health Technology Assessment Of Medical Devices Through Development Of The Philippine Essential Medical Device List

IntroductionPursuant to the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) in the Philippines was mandated to make recommendations for government financing of health technologies, including medical devices. The development of a Philippine Essential Medical Device List (PEMDL) will serve as a guide for the procurement of medical devices and supplies in government health facilities and as the basis for creating a price reference index.MethodsThe HTAC and a team of medical device experts (the Expert Advisory Committee) developed a streamlined pathway and guidelines using a Delphi technique with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to determine the necessary criteria for fast tracking the inclusion of medical devices. The pathway was also revised throughout a pilot processing of commonly procured medical devices (e.g., consumables) that were either already covered by existing national health insurance packages or funded by DOH programs, among others.ResultsThe final pathway consisted of validating whether the device was already approved by the Philippine FDA and whether it was already part of standard of care. Similar to the usual HTA nomination requirement, the local FDA approval attested to the safety and quality of the device. Meanwhile, the inclusion of the device in the standard of care guaranteed that it was essential in the healthcare setting. This can be written in the World Health Organization technical documents and databases such as the Medical Devices Information System, health facility listing requirements, or locally adopted clinical practice guidelines. The initial PEMDL for release contained a total of 307 medical devices across 16 categories.ConclusionsUnlike the mandate for the Philippine National Formulary, government health facilities are not yet required to base their procurement on the PEMDL because the list is still in its infancy. Moving forward, the list will include big ticket items and will be updated through consultations with specialty centers and hospitals.

GAMBARAN PENGADAAN OBAT E-PURCHASING UNTUK PASIEN PROGRAM RUJUK BALIK DI APOTEK KIMIA FARMA SAMARINDA

Procurement plays an important role in the drug management cycle. Efforts to improve performance and efficiency in the drug procurement process, both for the JKN program and other health programs, procurement of drugs and medical devices must use an e-catalogue. The Refer Back Program (PRB) is BPJS Health's flagship program. Kimia Farma Pharmacy is a network pharmacy for the Refer Back Program. Kimia Farma Samarinda Pharmacy, in the procurement of PRB medicines has used e-purchasing and there are still obstacles found in the procurement system such as long lead times, unavailability of medicines at distributors, and price uniformity resulting in shortages of medicines which have a negative impact on the availability of medicines for patients referral program. This research aims to determine the management of drug availability using e-purchasing for referral program patients at Kimia Farma Samarinda Pharmacy. This research is qualitative research with a case study approach. The research was carried out by collecting primary data obtained through in-depth interviews with respondents who were deemed to know and be involved in the procurement and/or management process of medicines at Kimia Farma Pharmacy No. 114 Samarinda. Secondary data was obtained through observing documents related to drug procurement at Kimia Farma Pharmacy No. 114 Samarinda. Research results obtained from Kimia Farma Pharmacy No. 114 Samarinda show that the level of drug availability at Kimia Farma Pharmacy No. 114 Samarinda is still low (14.33%). The availability of PRB drugs in pharmacies is not sufficient to meet the needs of PRB participants. Drug vacancies are mostly caused by vacancies from distributors. To avoid patients not getting medicine, pharmacies borrow medicine from other Kimia Farma pharmacies or reduce the amount of medicine given to patients.

Sustainable procurement of medical devices in an international context

Background and Objectives Sustainability is a working principle included in the United Nations (UN) procurement processes with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In the context of internationally funded projects in developing countries for procuring health-related goods during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, this article further investigates what sustainable procurement means when applied to purchasing medical devices (MDs), considering its impact on health services. It also proposes a reflection on the concepts of sustainability and quality assurance as guiding principles for technical teams during the process of MD procurement. Material and Methods This article aims to identify how sustainability can be implemented during the execution of a project based on the analysis of principles that guide procurement actions in the four UN agencies with the highest volume of MD procurement. The concept of sustainability is also explored from a macrosystemic point of view as the ratio between the impact of a procurement project on healthcare services and its investment. Its implications for population health and wealth is also discussed. Based on the experience of the authors in implementing purchasing processes of MDs, a framework for the specific technical activity is then proposed. Results In the UN system, sustainable procurement focuses on the social, economic, and environmental quality of the equipment and on the conditions of its production to guarantee that a sustainable good is procured. Not being enough, the focus should also be on the benefit of a procurement project, not as the possession of a new MD, but as the utility of the device: an instrument to provide healthcare services of the beneficiary country. Procuring sustainable goods should include planning their future use as an essential component for a sustainable positive impact on the health and wealth of the beneficiary population. Thus, the intended use of the procured devices should be defined, planned, and measured. In the proposed framework, sustainability is a ratio between an MD’s social, economic, and environmental costs and the benefits of its use. When neglecting the essential factor of sustainable use of MDs, the risk of purchasing equipment that will not be properly and efficiently used is relevant. To guarantee the sustainable use of a MD, it is essential to assess the needs, the local conditions, and the conditions for its lifelong use. Further evolution of the concept of sustainability is developed towards the possibility of modulating the project’s objective from procuring sustainable MDs to improving the sustainability of the health services by procuring MDs. Conclusion Sustainable procurement of MDs is a key factor in supporting the sustainable development of health services and health systems toward the SDGs. Post-pandemic investments to strengthen the resilience of health services in developing countries shall consider sustainable procurement, including the essential quality assurance process. This process, led by an expert clinical engineer, shall be centered on the future use of the equipment and not be limited to its quality as a material good.

Istibdal Wakaf Sebagai Solusi Pendayagunaan Benda Wakaf Masa Post Covid-19: Analisis Pendapat Ulama Mazhab

This paper explaines the necessity to maintain the sustainability of the benefits of waqf objects, especially waqf for health facilities through istibdal waqf after the Covid-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit the country, many people were infected by the corona virus outbreak, thus inspiring several Islamic philanthropic institutions to participate in easing the burden on the society and government by raising waqf funds directed at the procurement of medical devices. After Covid-19 hit, even in some regions, there were calls to lift the "pandemic" condition to endemic, then medical devices derived from waqf became no longer used. This makes several institutions, namely Dompet Dhuafa and the Qur'an Waqf Board, think hard about how to utilize the waqf of health facilities so that they continue to benefit the community. The research problem in this paper is how istibdal waqf is a solution to maintain the sustainability of the utilization of waqf objects in the post-COVID-19 period. This type of research is Islamic legal research with qualitative methods. Data were obtained through interviews and documentation and analyzed inductively. The results showed that Dompet Dhuafa and the Qur'an Waqf Board in maintaining the sustainability of the benefits of waqf objects donated several waqf medical devices to several health facilities. Even though giving waqf objects is not allowed by scholars. The solution that DD and BWA can do is to conduct istibdal waqf, so that waqf objects can still be used mauquf 'alaih and are in line with the opinion of the sunny mazhab scholars and positive law in Indonesia.

Evolving Use of Health Technology Assessment in Medical Device Procurement—Global Systematic Review: An ISPOR Special Interest Group Report

ObjectivesTo review the current academic evidence describing how data from health technology assessments (HTAs) informs procurement decisions for medical devices. MethodsA systematic literature review was performed to identify relevant studies and criteria used in medical device purchasing or procurement decisions. Included articles were screened for relevancy and risk of bias. The included studies were summarized qualitatively. ResultsA total of 292 studies were screened, of which 11 matched the inclusion criteria. Included studies’ geographies and HTA maturity varied. Some studies described hospital-level HTA processes, whereas others focused on national-level recommendations. Criteria for procurement decisions included standard HTA factors, such as efficacy, cost, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact; broader issues were also noted, including impact on the organization, ethical aspects, staff workload, and volume. There was little consideration of device-specific characteristics, such as life cycle, learning curve, or incremental technical innovation. Few decisions referred to HTA reports as part of the procurement decision; similarly, few HTA reports included a procurement perspective to help guide the procurement bodies. ConclusionsThere is minimal evidence that notes HTA influencing medical device procurement. Procurement bodies and hospitals may not be incentivized to publish their work and transparency could be improved; further research would better describe the link between HTA and procurement. Such research would enable the HTA agencies to meaningfully assess devices to target procurement bodies and allow device sponsors to prioritize evidence. This could limit redundancy, improve evidence, and ultimately promote savings to healthcare systems and expand access.

Optimalisasi Manajemen Pelayanan Gerai Sehat di Layanan Kesehatan Cuma-Cuma (LKC) Dompet Dhuafa Jawa Tengah

Free Health Service (LKC) Dompet Dhuafa Central Java is a health program that provides free health services for underprivileged communities. However, to ensure optimal service, it is necessary to optimize the service management of healthy outlets at LKC. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence the optimization of healthy outlet service management in LKC and design a theoretical framework that can help in improving the quality of health services in LKC. This study used a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews. The results showed that the factors that affect the optimization of healthy outlet service management at LKC include: human resource management, drug and medical device procurement management, data management, and community relations management. From the results of the analysis, a theoretical framework was designed which includes six components, namely: planning, organizing, procurement, implementation, supervision, and assessment. This theoretical framework can help in improving the quality of health services in LKC by providing systematic and comprehensive guidance for LKC management. In conclusion, optimization of healthy outlet service management at LKC needs to be carried out continuously to improve the quality of health services. The theoretical framework designed can be used as a reference for LKC management in improving and developing health programs for underprivileged communities.

Analisis Pengadaan Logistik Alat Kesehatan di Rumah Sakit : Meningkatkan Kualitas Pelayanan Pasien

The hospital is an important organization and is engaged in providing health services that focus not only on medical service issues but also on non-medical service issues. The hospital guarantees the availability of medical devices to the availability of equipment that can affect the quality of health services provided, including patient satisfaction. Therefore the purpose of this study is to determine the analysis of the procurement of medical equipment logistics in hospitals. The method used in this research is literature review from seven national journals obtained using online database facilities via Google pages scholar and researchgate. The selected journal is based on its publication published from 2018-2023. The research results show that the analysis of logistics planning and procurement activities of medical devices in several hospitals in Indonesia have various differences. The difference consists of hospitals that already have a plan logistics is good and some are not running perfectly. Procurement of medical devices that have not been good due to several factors, one of which is an inadequate budget. So that management or logistics management of medical devices is needed in hospitals so that medical devices are always available in accordance with quality standards hospital health.

EFOMP policy statement 17: The role and competences of medical physicists and medical physics experts in the different stages of a medical device life cycle

MPPs are trained in the branches of physics associated with the practice of medicine. Possessing a solid scientific background and technical skills, MPPs are well suited to play a leading role within each stage of a medical device life cycle. The various stages of the life cycle of a medical device include establishment of requirements with use-case assessment, investment planning, procurement of medical devices, acceptance testing especially regarding safety and performance, quality management, effective and safe use and maintenance, user training, interfacing with IT systems, and safe decommissioning and removal of the medical devices. Acting as an expert within the clinical staff of a healthcare organisation, the MPP can play an important role to achieve a balanced life cycle management of medical devices. Given that the functioning of medical devices and their clinical application in routine clinical practice and research is heavily physics and engineering based, the MPP is strongly associated with the hard science aspects and advanced clinical applications of medical devices and associated physical agents. Indeed, this is reflected in the mission statement of MPP professionals [1]. PurposeThe life cycle management of medical devices is described as well as the procedures involved. These procedures are performed by multi-disciplinary teams within a healthcare environment. The task of this workgroup was focused on clarifying and elaborating the role of the Medical Physicist and Medical Physics Expert - here collectively referred to as the Medical Physics Professional (MPP) - within these multi-disciplinary teams. This policy statement describes the role and competences of MPPs in every stage of a medical device life cycle. If MPPs are an integral part of these multi-disciplinary teams, the effective use, safety, and sustainability of the investment is likely to improve as well as the overall service quality delivered by the medical device during its life cycle. It leads to better health care quality and reduced costs. Furthermore, it gives MPPs a stronger position in health care organisations throughout Europe.

Biomedical Engineering Profession – An Overview and Global Comparison of Staffing Criteria and Workforce

Introduction: Biomedical Engineering is a specialized profession that incorporates engineering, science, technology, and medicine competence and responsibilities. A biomedical engineer who works at hospital and manages the biomedical engineering department by integrating all the health care technologies for patient safety is called a clinical engineer.Methodology: Rapid literature on the workforce as well as staffing criterion has been done by searching in PubMed, google scholar and relevant websites.Results: Variations in the staffing criteria exist across all the world. There are multiple staffing criterions put forward by various health system agencies. However, a standardised staffing criterion is lacking in many countries. The conventional staffing pattern developed primarily on the basis of number of patients needs to be modified by incorporating multiple components such as the nature of care delivery, number of biomedical devices used, average number of maintenance work orders received etc. The procurement and maintenance of biomedical devices are often get disrupted in developing countries due to inadequate staffing. Low-income countries depend on donations for procurement of medical devices, however most of these devices will stop working within a period of 5 years due to lack of maintenance.Conclusion: Developing an appropriate job description specific to the county and adopting a standardised staffing pattern could contribute immensely to the medical workforce as well as improving the quality of medical care.Manuscript HighlightsThis paper provides an overview of considerations used to develop staffing criteria for biomedical engineers across the globe. The paper also does a multicounty comparison on biomedical workforce published by the World Health Organisation in order to determine the various factors to be considered for developing a staffing criterion. High income countries like Australia, Canada and USA follows standards according to their requirements whereas the LMICs doesn’t follows a framed criterion. The paper discusses various models available in place which are used by various health administrative agencies to consider developing and regulating the staffing standards of biomedical engineers in their respective regions. The paper examines the health regulations considering the biomedical engineer staffing criterions developed by regulatory and administrative agencies from different countries. Based on all these analyses, recommendations are made on criterions to be considered for developing staffing pattern and implementing regulatory body for biomedical engineering profession.

Purchasing high-cost medical devices and equipment in hospitals: a systematic review

ObjectivesTo systematically review academic literature for studies on any processes, procedures, methods or approaches to purchasing high-cost medical devices and equipment within hospitals in high-income countries.MethodsOn 13 August 2020, we...

Strategic Procurement of High-Cost Medical Devices

This manuscript addresses the problem of strategic procurement of high-cost medical devices at one of the largest nonprofit health-care organizations in the USA. A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is used to reveal the effects of physicians’ allowing alternative devices to be used for their medical procedures, the impact of alternative incentive-pricing mechanisms negotiated with suppliers, and the potential impact of rigidly imposing supplier-scorecard standards on several dimensions – especially when such scorecards are commonly recognized as being subject to “common-variance” rater bias. Solutions are found to be more sensitive to general bias toward high or low ratings in producing scores for vendor performance than to correlations in scores due to common methods bias. Small changes in pricing parameters and scorecards can have outsized effects on “optimal” shares of business allocated to alternative suppliers. This may call for constraints to avoid disruptive shifts in business relationships when revising procurement strategies through time.

Smart Contract Solutions for Transactional Inefficiency in Medical Device Procurement

Smart Contract Solutions for Transactional Inefficiency in Medical Device Procurement

Planning and Budgeting of Medical Devices Among Ethiopian Public Hospitals.

BackgroundPlanning and budgeting of medical devices allow a healthcare institution to properly use funds, acquire quality and efficient medical devices, and improve healthcare service delivery. The lack of proper policy in the procurement and management of medical devices causes inappropriate usage of funds and impedes the quality of a product. This study aimed to identify the current practices and gaps in the planning and budgeting of medical devices in Ethiopian public hospitals. In this study, an assessment was conducted in all regional public hospitals to assess the current status of medical device management, identify the gaps, and provide suggestions for areas of improvement.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study assessment where a structured data collection tool was utilized to collect data. A multi-stage stratified random sampling proportionate to size technique was employed for the sampling of public hospitals in all regions of Ethiopia. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 software.ResultsThe availability of medical equipment development plans, budgeting, and spare parts procurement plans were found to be below 50% in public hospitals. It was also noted that 40.3% of hospitals do not prepare medical device technical specifications during procurement orders. Moreover, the engagement of biomedical engineers/technicians in the planning and procurement of medical devices was found to be below 50%.ConclusionThis assessment showed that there is a need for improvement in the development of procurement plans and preparation of technical specifications for medical devices in Ethiopian public hospitals. Developing policies and strategies for the proper use of funds in the procurement of medical devices, involving biomedical engineering professionals in the planning, procurement and use of medical devices could help to improve the quality, optimized utilization and efficiency of medical devices and ultimately enhance healthcare service delivery.