TRENDS
Physician Leadership in Supply Chain Now more important than ever BY STACY A. BRETHAUER; PATRICK A. KENNEY, MD; MOLLY K. ZMUDA, MHA3; SIDNEY M. FLETCHER, MD4; BRUCE L. HALL, MD, PHD, MBA5; JIMMY CHUNG, MD, MBA6
When COVID-19 began spreading across the United States in 2020, the role of physician leaders in supply chain at the nation’s hospitals accelerated in importance. Physician leadership in supply chain helps bridge the gap to clinical staff through
As the pandemic surged, providers quickly encountered supply constraints for routine commodities such as masks
a model known as a clinically integrated supply chain. Clinical integration (CI) brings
and gowns, forcing clinicians and manag-
together two previously siloed (but equally important) entities within health care
ers to think differently and aggressively
provider organizations: clinical care and resource management. A clinically-integrated
incorporate CI principles into practice.
supply chain helps establish a common vision and strategy for advancing quality
To evaluate the roles of physician
through resource utilization, clarifying cost-effectiveness and justifications of new
leaders in supply chain management and
technology for clinical needs.
personal protective equipment use, in May
The Journal of Healthcare Contracting | June 2021
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