The Importance and Challenges of Implementing and Maintaining Biorepositories for High-Consequence Veterinary and One Health Pathogens in South-East Asia.

Introduction: Emerging infectious diseases pose a threat to public health and the economy, especially in developing countries. Southeast Asian veterinary laboratories handle numerous high-risk pathogens, making pathogen accountability crucial for safe handling and storage. Methods: Thirteen veterinary laboratories in Cambodia (n = 1), Lao People's Democratic Republic (n = 1), and Thailand (n = 11) participated in a study conducted between 2019 and 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire, group discussions, and interviews. Conclusion: Significant gaps in biosecurity and biorepository management were recognized and discussed in the context of regional biosafety and biosecurity. Laboratories could use the findings and recommendations of the study to develop or improve their pathogen inventory and biosecurity systems. Governments play a significant role in setting standards and regulations and providing necessary support for laboratories to maintain inventory controls sustainably and have a very important role to play in ensuring biosafety and biosecurity compliance.

Development of an integrated scenario-based stochastic rolling-planning multistage logistics model considering various risks.

In this study, a new integrated scenario-based stochastic rolling-planning multistage logistics model is proposed to reduce overall logistics costs. To achieve this goal, two phases were considered in the model. In the first phase, a multi-criteria group decision-making model was developed to select a trustworthy supplier. In the second stage, the selected suppliers were integrated with other stakeholders to develop a rolling-planning-based logistics model using a variety of risky scenarios. Several risk factors including price variability, demand, and quality risks were considered in the model. By considering these risk factors, a new risk-embedded rolling-planning logistics method was established that regulates inventory, stock-out, and overstock problems by constantly controlling the production volume at the manufacturing site based on actual demands. In this model, the supplier's side material quality, price fluctuation risks, and customer-side demand risks were considered simultaneously. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, a numerical example was set up, and the obtained results were compared with those of another model where fixed volume production and delivery approach was used instead of the rolling-planning approach. To verify the superiority and robustness of the proposed model, its performance was verified through a sensitivity analysis under different experimental conditions. The findings show that in a risk environment, the proposed model estimates lower logistics costs of 2697648.00 units compared to another model whose costs were 2721843.00 units.

Optimization model for multi-products multi-periods multi-suppliers raw-material selection and composition, and order quantity problem with one-year minimum order quantity contract.

This paper concerns the optimization model for a multi-product multi-period raw-material selection and composition, and order quantity problem faced by a beverage company.•There are some criteria in raw material selection, which we accommodate all the criteria in the objective function. There are several suppliers, and one of the decision criteria is a one-year minimum order quantity contract between the company and the suppliers. The actual one-year demand for raw materials may deviate significantly from the one-year minimum order quantities.•We derive a function that can be regarded as a penalty function to maintain the total order quantities in one year to fulfill the minimum one-year order quantity contracts. This penalty function is a part of the objective function and can be relaxed once the one-year minimum order quantity contracts are fulfilled.•We performed several numerical experiments to check the optimal solutions for various demands and for various objective functions. These experiments show our MILP (Mixed Integer Linear Programming) gives the desired optimal solutions and show the influence of decision criteria on the optimal solution.

Towards inventory control excellence: An innovative approach based on a web-based platform.

Background: Inventory management in educational institutions presents unique challenges due to the diverse sources of information and the need for improved team collaboration. This research aims to enhance inventory processes in educational institutions by leveraging information technology to optimize efficiency and ensure data integrity and reliability. Methods: The study employed a five-phase methodology to develop a web-based inventory optimization system. The initial phase involved a comprehensive analysis of inventory requirements, considering multiple data sources and team needs. Subsequently, in the planning phase, requirements were prioritized, and tasks with corresponding deadlines were established.The implementation phase adhered to the requirements outlined in the planning phase, utilizing appropriate information technologies to ensure efficient and reliable operation. A thorough system review was conducted to assess the achievement of each requirement's objectives, with necessary adjustments made as needed. Finally, following the completion of the previous phases, the developed software was deployed, and additional testing was conducted to ensure proper functionality. Results: Following the implementation of the web-based system, significant improvements were observed: an 85.51% increase in efficiency for goods searches, streamlining the process and reducing location times; a 90.31% enhancement in goods registration, ensuring greater accuracy and data reliability; an 83.11% improvement in annual goods report generation, simplifying reporting and offering a clearer view of the inventory. Overall, the inventory process experienced an 86.31% improvement, leading to enhanced efficiency and collaboration among administrative and teaching staff. The utilization of information technology reduced inventory processing times and ensured the uniqueness and reliability of information. Conclusions: This research focuses specifically on optimizing inventory management in educational institutions through information technology. The study's uniqueness lies in its tailored web-based system designed to address the specific needs of educational institutions. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach and its positive impact on inventory management.

Hotel dynamic pricing, stochastic demand and covid-19.

We develop an innovative framework to study how hoteliers apply inventory control and price discrimination taking into account seasonality. We end up with a time-varying model that, using publicly available information, connects the early booking and last-minute pricing decisions. In doing so, we account for the expected demand size and price elasticity, the inventory put on sales, and the last-minute demand shocks. An analysis focused on 100 hotels in Milan (Italy) shows that during the Covid-19 last-minute discounts/surcharges remain stable over long periods while the role of advance booking as a lever for revenue management is reduced. Moreover, the pandemic has increased the last-minute adjustment at the short advance booking, especially for midweek days.

Two-echelon inventory location model with response time requirement and lateral transshipment.

This study presents a new model for a two-echelon location-inventory system with response time constraints. This system controls inventory with a (S-1, S) policy and comprises of a finite collection of customers, a finite collection of service facilities and a single plant. This paper's main novelty is the incorporation of lateral transshipment into a two-echelon location-inventory system with response time requirement. By using a continuous-time Markov process approach, we determine expected on-hand inventory level in steady state, expected lateral transshipment level in steady state and expected backorder level in steady state. We utilize these steady state levels to formulate a mixed integer nonlinear programming model which incorporates lateral transshipment into an integrated location-inventory system with response time constraint. The model minimizes the total system cost and simultaneously determines: optimal location and number of service facilities, the optimal assignment of customers and base-stock level. We exploit the model's properties using Lagrange decomposition and we show that the model is convex. The model is tested on a real-world scenario using GAMS and our model returned lower costs following comparisons with a model without lateral transshipment. We also establish that lateral transshipment results to consistency of expected cost with varying response time requirement.

Two-stage supply chain inventory management based on system dynamics model for reducing bullwhip effect of sulfur product.

Bullwhip effect is prevalent in supply chains, creating supply and inventory risks that affect marketing, supply and production. However, there are limited researches on the optimization of chemical supply chain inventory management. In order to solve the above problem, this paper took the sulfur product supply chain of a sulfur plant as an example, combined with the idea of system dynamics, and systematically studied the inventory control strategy in the distributor-retailer two-level inventory system constituted by the supply chain. Firstly, the causal loop diagram was drawn according to the system relationship between variables in the two-level supply chain, and then the system dynamics model of sulfur product supply chain was formed. Finally, problems existing in the supply chain were explored through simulation, and optimization suggestions were submitted. It can be concluded from the simulation results that there was bullwhip effect in the sulfur product supply chain, and the delay of transportation time and the change of inventory adjustment time would have an impact on the inventory level of each node enterprise in the supply chain. Therefore, the method of building an information sharing platform, implementing visual information management, and adopting logistics transportation service outsourcing could enhance the information exchange among node enterprises, so as to improve the operational efficiency of the entire product supply chain.

Assessment of Knowledge, Practices, and Challenges of Pharmaceuticals Inventory Control Among Pharmacy Professionals Working in Selected Public Health Facilities of West Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Good pharmaceutical inventory control enables health facilities (HFs) to provide complete health care by ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and affordable pharmaceuticals and related supplies of the required quality, inadequate quantity, at the required place and at all times. It boosts patients' trust in the HFs and motivates working staff. However, it needs well-trained and skilled professionals. The aim of the current study was, therefore, assessing knowledge, practice, and challenges of pharmacy professionals conducting inventory control in selected public health facilities of West Arsi Zone, Oromia regional state for the year 2016 to 2018. METHOD: A mixed-methods study design was used to assess pharmacy professionals' knowledge, skills, and challenges in applying inventory management methods. A semi-structured questionnaire was implemented for quantitative, whereas an open-ended question was employed for key informants (KIs) to explore qualitative data. RESULT: Ninety percent of pharmacy professionals knew about VEN analysis concepts and 70% about ABC analysis. However, none of them had a concept of FSN and XYZ analysis. Among the respondents who knew the concept, 75% had gained knowledge through formal training and 10% of them learned from on-job training. When they asked about the methods of inventory control, 60% responded as they did not hear about it. Of those who said "Yes" on being asked to mention at least 1 method of it, 80% could not able to correctly mention the methods used in inventory control. However, 44%, 62.5%, and 75% of respondents had practiced ABC, VED, and ABC-VED matrix analysis respectively. The challenges that prevented these professionals from practicing pharmaceutical inventory control in their HFs were grouped into price-related, training-related, human resource-related, and managerial-related factors. CONCLUSION: Inventory control is the heart of the pharmaceutical supply system. Without its healthy action, HFs' goal attainment will not be viable. Problems of sick pharmaceutical inventory control are directly related to a lack of knowledge and appreciation of it by the concerned bodies. The current finding revealed almost all pharmacy professionals included in the study had little knowledge about how to manage their inventories. Managers' unwillingness to cooperate and facilitate necessary resources prevented the professionals from doing inventory control.

Practices of anti-malaria pharmaceuticals inventory control system and associated challenges in public health facilities of Oromiya special zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Anti-malaria pharmaceuticals inventory control system helps to maintain an appropriate stock level using logistics management information system records and reports. Antimalaria pharmaceuticals are highly influenced by seasonality and demand variation. Thus, to compensate the seasonality, resupply quantities should be adjusted by multiplying the historical consumption with the Look-ahead seasonality indexes (LSI) to minimize stock-outs during the peak transmission season and overstocks (possible expiries) during off-peak seasons The purpose of this study was to assess anti-malaria pharmaceuticals inventory control practice and associated challenges in public health facilities of the Oromiya special zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: Facility-based cross-sectional study design employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, explanatory sequential mixed method, of data collection and analysis was used in all public health facilities in the Oromia special zone from September 1 to September 30, 2019. The study was conducted in 27 health centers and 2 hospitals, the dispensing units managing anti-malaria pharmaceuticals and data was collected using observation checklists The quantitative data were analyzed by Statistical package for social sciences using linear regression. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants and 12 in-depth interviews were conducted by the principal investigator. Thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo 11 plus and interpretation by narrative strategies. RESULTS: The quantitative finding in this study revealed that none of the health facilities surveyed calculated months of stock and multiplied the historical consumption with look ahead seasonal indices (LSI) to forecast the upcoming year consumptions.. Average months of stock of anti-malaria pharmaceuticals were 5.32 months with the annual wastage rate of 11.32%. The point and periodic availability of anti-malaria pharmaceuticals was 72.38 and 77.03% respectively. The number of stocks out days within the previous 6 months was 41.34 days. The study also reported bin card usage (ß = - 3.5, p = 0.04) and availability of daily dispensing register (ß = - 2.7, p = 0.005) had statistically significant effect on anti-malaria pharmaceuticals inventory control practice. The perceived challenges attributed to the poor anti-malaria pharmaceuticals inventory control practice were lack of integrated pharmaceutical logistics system training, management support, inadequate and near expiry supply from pharmaceuticals supply agency, job dissatisfaction, and staff turnover. CONCLUSION: Inventory control practices for anti-malaria pharmaceuticals was poor as indicated by maximum stock level and none of the health facilities calculated months of stock and the previous consumption was not multiplied by look ahead seasonal indices to compensate the seasonal and demand variation. Efforts should be under-taken by concerned bodies to improve inventory control practice; such as training and regular follow up have to be provided to the health professionals managing anti-malaria pharmaceuticals.

Resource optimization for cancer pathways with aggregate diagnostic demand: a perishable inventory approach.

This work proposes a novel framework for planning the capacity of diagnostic tests in cancer pathways that considers the aggregate demand of referrals from multiple cancer specialties (sites). The framework includes an analytic tool that recursively assesses the overall daily demand for each diagnostic test and considers general distributions for both the incoming cancer referrals and the number of required specific tests for any given patient. By disaggregating the problem with respect to each diagnostic test, we are able to model the system as a perishable inventory problem that can be solved by means of generalized G/D/C queuing models, where the capacity [Formula: see text] is allowed to vary and can be seen as a random variable that is adjusted according to prescribed performance measures. The approach aims to provide public health and cancer services with recommendations to align capacity and demand for cancer diagnostic tests effectively and efficiently. Our case study illustrates the applicability of our methods on lung cancer referrals from UK's National Health Service.

Dynamic repair priority rule based on remaining useful life predictions.

In this paper, we propose a novel repair priority rule for spare parts in a repair station with limited repair capacity to minimize total inventory cost per time unit. Inventory cost is composed of holding costs and backorder costs. The proposed rule uses Remaining Useful Life (RUL) predictions of functioning machines obtained from a Prognostics and Health Monitoring (PHM) system. An inventory system comprising a finite number of machines, one warehouse, and one single-server repair station is considered. Numerical experiments were conducted to compare the performance of the proposed model with the performance of three existing priority rules: a first-come, first-served (FCFS) rule, a static priority rule, and a dynamic priority rule. A testbed with 20 instances of the problem was considered. The results showed that the proposed PHM-based rule consistently reduces the inventory system cost.

The effects of quantity discounts on supply chain performance: Looking through the Bullwhip lens.

Quantity discounts are a common pricing mechanism to stimulate large orders. We explore their impact on the dynamic behaviour of production and distribution systems by studying key operational and economic metrics. In a three-echelon supply chain, we observe that the discount generally increases the Bullwhip Effect, which especially harms the manufacturer. The discount also reduces the retailer's purchase costs, but increases its inventory- and capacity-related costs. A key trade-off thus emerges, which manifests itself through a U-shaped relationship between the total cost and the discount acceptance parameter. In the light of this trade-off, we discuss how key factors should affect the retailer's willingness to pursue the discount. We observe that managers that need to deal with tougher environmental conditions, such as high demand uncertainty and long lead times, should be less reluctant to increase orders up to the discount quantity. We also discuss in detail other valuable insights for professionals, both from the perspective of sellers and buyers.

Desafios para a gestão de estoques em empresas de distribuição de bens de consumo / Desafíos para la gestión de inventarios en empresas de distribución de bienes de consumo / Challenges for inventory management in consumer goods distribution companies

Resumo Introdução: As empresas dos canais de distribuição têm como principal função intermediar transações entre os fornecedores e revendas. Além disso, elas servem como agentes entre as revendas e os usuários finais comissionando à revenda. Este artigo foi desenvolvido em uma distribuidora nacional de automação, com 20 anos neste mercado que apresenta problemas no estoque como: rupturas e excessos, buscando ações para minimizar estes principais problemas. Objetivo: O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar e contextualizar estas variáveis, podendo assim identificar sugestões de ações de melhorias de como evitar problemas em gestão de estoques. Materiais e métodos: A metodologia utilizada foi a análise qualitativa, tendo como método de pesquisa o estudo de caso único. Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado e avaliadas as informações do banco de dados da empresa. Foi elaborado um fluxograma do setor de compras e estoque para mapear o funcionamento do setor. Resultados: Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram a empresa acredita que tem um controle de estoque adequado, mas identificou a necessidade de melhorias, devido às frequentes rupturas no estoque, assim como os excessos de itens com baixo giro de vendas. Conclusões: Foram determinados ferramentas e indicadores de gestão de estoques para controlar os problemas de distribuição logística.

Resumen Introducción: Las empresas de los canales de distribución tienen como principal función intermediar transacciones entre los proveedores y reventas. Además, ellos sirven como agentes entre los revendedores y los usuarios finales comisionando a la reventa. Este artículo fue desarrollado en una distribuidora nacional de automatización, con 20 años en este mercado y que presenta problemas en el stock como rupturas y excesos, buscando acciones para minimizar estés problemas principales. Objetivo: El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar y contextualizar estas variables, pudiendo así identificar sugerencias de acciones de mejoras de cómo evitar problemas en la gestión de inventarios. Materiales y métodos: La metodología utilizada fue el análisis cualitativo, teniendo como método de investigación el estudio de caso. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado y evaluado la información de la base de datos de la empresa. Se elaboró un diagrama de flujo del sector de compras y stock para mapear el funcionamiento del sector. Resultados: Los resultados de la investigación evidenciaron que la empresa cree que tiene un control de inventario adecuado, pero identificó la necesidad de mejoras, debido a las frecuentes rupturas en el stock, así como los excesos de ítems con bajo giro de ventas. Conclusiones: Se han determinado herramientas e indicadores de gestión de stocks para controlar los problemas de distribución logística.

Abstract Introduction. Companies of distribution channels are mainly responsible broker transactions between suppliers and resellers. Additionally, they serve as agents between resellers and end-users commissioning resale. This article was developed in a national distributor of automation, with 20 years in this market that presents problems in stock as ruptures and excesses, actions seeking to minimize these core problems. Objective. The objective of the research was to analyze and contextualize these variables and thus identify suggestions for actions to improve how to avoid problems in inventory management. Materials and methods. The methodology was qualitative analysis, and as a research method, the single case study was analyzed. A structured questionnaire and evaluated information from the database of the company was applied. A flowchart of the purchasing and storage area was designed to map the functioning of the sector. Results. The results showed the company believes it has adequate inventory control, but identified the need for improvements due to frequent disruptions in stock, as well as the excess items with low sales turnover. Conclusions. Tools and inventory management indicators were determined to control the distribution logistics problems.

ABC, VED and lead time analysis in the surgical store of a public sector tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

BACKGROUND: An efficient inventory control system would help optimize the use of resources and eventually help improve patient care. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to find out the surgical consumables using always, better, and control (ABC) and vital, essential, and desirable (VED) technique as well as calculating the lead time of specific category A and vital surgical consumables. METHODS: This was a descriptive, record-based study conducted from January to March 2016 in the surgical stores of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The study comprised all the surgical consumables which were procured during the financial year 2014-2015. Stores ledger containing details of the consumption of the items, supply orders, and procurement files of the items were studied for performing ABC analysis and calculating the lead time. A list of surgical consumables was distributed to the doctors, nursing staff, technical staff, and hospital stores personnel to categorize them into VED categories after explaining them the basis for the classification. RESULTS: ABC analysis revealed that 35 items (14%), 52 items (21%), and 171 items (69%) were categorized into A (70% annual consumption value [ACV]), B (20% ACV), and C (10% ACV) category, respectively. In the current study, vital items comprised the majority of the items, i.e., 73% of the total items and essential (E) category of items comprised 26% of all the items. The average internal, external, and total lead time was 17 days (range 3-30 days), 25 days (range 5-38) and 44 days (range 18-98 days), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals stores need to implement inventory management techniques to reduce the number of stock-outs and internal lead time.

Medicine Procurement and Inventory Control Strategies Based on Inventory Model Approach / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To work out the optimal inventory levels in zero inventory management mode through model predic-tion and control strategy,by using the inventory upper & lower limits settings generally available in the information management system of health care institutions. METHODS:Multi-varieties joint ordering modelwas constructed by referring to operations management,time series analysis and quantitative approach to decision-making,that is,to make a prediction of upper&lower lim-its on medicine inventory based on historical data and applicable mathematical models(fixed order interval model and re-order mod-el,i.e. FOI and ROP),and compared with real results;based on above,specific medicine procurement and inventory control strat-egies would be developed and an evaluation of the application effects would be made. RESULTS:The error test and reproducibility test exhibited that the out-of-stock ratio remained under 3.36%,of which 71.24% could be effectively alarmed;under computer simulation and practical operation,the instant replenishment rate reduced by 9.33% and 13.03%,OOS ratio down by 11.11% and 27.45%,and average daily inventory turnover rate up by 30.19% and 15.85% respectively,all showing remarkable improvements compared to before the implementation of the mode. CONCLUSIONS:This model is of favorable accuracy and operability,there-fore it can lay foundation for rational and well-founded decisions in medicine procurement and inventory control in zero inventory management mode.

Distribution-dependent robust linear optimization with applications to inventory control.

This paper tackles linear programming problems with data uncertainty and applies it to an important inventory control problem. Each element of the constraint matrix is subject to uncertainty and is modeled as a random variable with a bounded support. The classical robust optimization approach to this problem yields a solution with guaranteed feasibility. As this approach tends to be too conservative when applications can tolerate a small chance of infeasibility, one would be interested in obtaining a less conservative solution with a certain probabilistic guarantee of feasibility. A robust formulation in the literature produces such a solution, but it does not use any distributional information on the uncertain data. In this work, we show that the use of distributional information leads to an equally robust solution (i.e., under the same probabilistic guarantee of feasibility) but with a better objective value. In particular, by exploiting distributional information, we establish stronger upper bounds on the constraint violation probability of a solution. These bounds enable us to "inject" less conservatism into the formulation, which in turn yields a more cost-effective solution (by 50% or more in some numerical instances). To illustrate the effectiveness of our methodology, we consider a discrete-time stochastic inventory control problem with certain quality of service constraints. Numerical tests demonstrate that the use of distributional information in the robust optimization of the inventory control problem results in 36%-54% cost savings, compared to the case where such information is not used.

ABC-VED analysis of expendable medical stores at a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: The modern system of medicine has evolved into a complex, sophisticated and expensive treatment modality in terms of cost of medicines and consumables. In any hospital, approximately 33% of total annual budget is spent on buying materials and supplies including medicines. ABC (Always, Better Control)-VED (Vital, Essential, Desirable) analysis of medical stores of a large teaching, tertiary care hospital of the Armed Forces was carried out to identify the categories of drugs needing focused managerial control. METHODS: Annual consumption and expenditure data of expendable medical stores for one year was extracted from the drug expense book, followed by classification on its annual usage value. Subsequently, the factor of criticality was applied to arrive at a decision matrix for understanding the need for selective managerial control. RESULTS: The study revealed that out of 1536 items considered for the study, 6.77% (104), 19.27% (296) and 73.95% (1136) items were found to be A, B and C category items respectively. VED analysis revealed that vital items (V) accounted for 13.14% (201), essential items (E) for 56.37% (866) and desirable accounted for 30.49% items (469). ABC-VED matrix analysis of the inventory reveals that only 322 (21%) items out of an inventory of 1536 drugs belonging to category I will require maximum attention. CONCLUSION: Scientific inventory management tools need to be applied routinely for efficient management of medical stores, as it contributes to judicious use of limited resources and resultant improvement in patient care.

Reducing costs while maintaining quality in endovascular neurosurgical procedures.

OBJECT: As medical costs continue to rise during a time of increasing medical resource utilization, both hospitals and physicians must attempt to limit superfluous health care expenses. Neurointerventional treatment has been shown to be costly, but it is often the best treatment available for certain neuropathologies. The authors studied the effects of 3 policy changes designed to limit the costs of performing neurointerventional procedures at the University of Michigan. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed the costs of performing neurointerventional procedures during the 6-month periods before and after the implementation of 3 cost-saving policies: 1) the use of an alternative, more economical contrast agent, 2) standardization of coil prices through negotiation with industry representatives to receive economies of scale, and 3) institution of a feedback method to show practitioners the costs of unused products per patient procedure. The costs during the 6-month time intervals before and after implementation were also compared with costs during the most recent 6-month time period. RESULTS: The policy requiring use of a more economical contrast agent led to a decrease in the cost of contrast usage of $42.79 per procedure for the first 6 months after implementation, and $137.09 per procedure for the most current 6-month period, resulting in an estimated total savings of $62,924.31 for the most recent 6-month period. The standardized coil pricing system led to savings of $159.21 per coil after the policy change, and $188.07 per coil in the most recent 6-month period. This yielded total estimated savings of $76,732.56 during the most recent 6-month period. The feedback system for unused items decreased the cost of wasted products by approximately $44.36 per procedure in the 6 months directly after the policy change and by $48.20 per procedure in the most recent 6-month period, leading to total estimated savings of $22,123.80 during the most recent 6-month period. According to extrapolation over a 1-year period, the 3 policy changes decreased costs by an estimated $323,561.34. CONCLUSIONS: Simple cost-saving policies can lead to substantial reductions in costs of neurointerventional procedures while maintaining high levels of quality and growth of services.

Inventory Control Methods in a Long-Term Care Pharmacy: Comparisons and Time-Series Analyses.

Background: Current inventory theory is based on simulated data and unrealistic formulae. Inventory replenishment processes are therefore commonly disrupted, and out-of-stock (OOS) events are unnecessarily frequent. Objective: OOS events at a large-volume, long-term care pharmacy in North Carolina were compared among 4 sequentially applied methods of inventory control: (a) a manual system without Six Sigma protocol, (b) a manual system with Six Sigma protocol, (c) a computer-assisted system with Six Sigma protocol, and (d) an automated system with Six Sigma protocol. Methods: Daily OOS rates were recorded for 11 weeks during the implementation of each method. Between-group comparisons were performed, and time-series analyses were conducted during each implementation to determine the significance of the change in OOS rates over the evaluation period. Results: In terms of the 2 manual systems, OOS rates were lower for the system to which a Six Sigma protocol was applied. In terms of the 3 Six Sigma systems, ranked differences were significant. The computer-assisted system had a lower OOS rate than did the automated system, and the automated system had a lower OOS rate than did the manual Six Sigma system. OOS rates were significantly reduced over an 11-week period for the computer-assisted and the automated systems. Conclusions: Six Sigma was found to be an effective process improvement strategy in the selected pharmacy setting. The study was the first inventory analysis performed with OOS events used as an empirical measure, in contrast to the simulated data used in prior studies.

Retrospective Analysis on Turnover Ratio of Drug Stock in Our Hospital during 2010-2013 / 中国药师

Objective:To study the medicine storage management mode in our hospital. Methods: The medicine sales and inventory data were obtained from 2010 to 2013 by the HIS of our hospital. Medicine storage turnover ratio was calculated by using Microsoft Excel. The efficiency in the inventory management was evaluated by medicine storage turnover ratio. The storage control in our hospital was analyzed by the relevant references. Results: The medicine storage turnover ratio from 2010 to 2013 in our hospital was improved to 20. 06 times, the turnover days was reduced to 18 days which met the criteria for the review of the grade A class 3 hospital. Conclusion: The medicine storage management should be scientifically adjusted on the basis of the clinical characteristics and the use of medicines in the hospital. In this way, the improvement of medicine storage turnover ratio, the optimized control of the medicine stocks and the improvement of the social and economic benefit of the hospital will be realized.