MODEL OF THE FUTURE
BY GRAHAM GARRISON
Battling Cancer Amid COVID How MD Anderson’s supply chain mobilized to protect employees and one of the largest and densest concentrations of cancer patients in the world during the pandemic.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) is one of
While hospitals across the globe had
the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research,
issues with PPE, MD Anderson had
education and prevention. MD Anderson’s mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the
to be extra cautious due to its patient
nation and the world. The organization does this through outstanding programs that
population. Many of its patients are im-
integrate patient care, research and prevention.
munocompromised, even if they’re in the hospital for a non-cancer related issue like a spinal fusion or a cardiac event.
With one of the largest and densest
chain was a hyperfocus on all products
This required MD Anderson to be overly
concentrations of cancer patients in the
needed to ensure the safety of our patients
conservative to protect the safety of its
world, MD Anderson’s job of providing
resulting in sourcing from non-traditional
patients. For example, restricting visitors
an adequate and consistent supply of qual-
sources, increased inventory and the ex-
and utilizing N95 masks and Power Air-
ity personal protective equipment (PPE)
panded distribution of various products,”
Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).
took on an even greater significance amid
said MD Anderson Chief Procurement
the pandemic. “The effect on the supply
Officer Calvin Wright.
Working with MD Anderson’s IT leadership, disparate data systems were
MD Anderson Cancer Center Campus
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June 2022 | The Journal of Healthcare Contracting
