NEWS
Healthcare Supply Backlogs – A Timeline By Alan Cherry At the outset of the pandemic, the
sudden spike in demand caused massive shortages for personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns, and gloves. Manufacturers were able to ramp up supply and alleviate those shortages in most places by the end of the year. In early 2021, providers began encountering shortages for needles, as a large portion of the general supply was needed for impending vaccine distribution. Earlier this spring, a steep downward trend in COVID cases worldwide had many starting to grow concerned about the bullwhip effect created by the lag between demand and fulfillment. Then, a second wave of COVID spurred by the Delta variant added more fuel to the fire of shortages in supply chain industries around the world. By summer of this year, the distribution section of supply chain became the emergent problem. Cargo
Global demand skyrockets for PPE and other supplies related to the treatment of COVID-19
2020
September In mid-September, the port of Long Beach, California moved to 24/7 operations in order to clear the growing shipping logjam. By the end of the month, medical supply shortages began to crop up all over the country for a host of critical items needed at medical facilities – from exam tables and heart defibrillators to crutches and IV poles, and more. Unlike earlier in the pandemic, the new shortages were generally for supplies that had nothing to do with treating COVID.
Top Glove – the world’s largest latex glove maker – is barred by the U.S. over allegations about the company’s unethical labor practices. The ban was lifted the next month.
2021
July
Massive increases Early 2021 in remote-working Needle shortages drive up demand for manifest, as a large computer chips and portion of the general quickly exhaust the supply was needed for available supply global vaccination efforts
Meanwhile, shortages of raw materials, including plastics, metals, glass, and electronics, hampered production for manufacturers. In the case of exam tables, tight supplies of electronic controllers, metal, and even the foam padding used to build them were hampering producers’ ability to meet product demand. Estimated wait times for some products grew from 3-6 weeks to 5-6 months. Even wait times for critical items like heart defibrillators – which had formerly taken only two weeks to deliver – jumped up to as long as three months or more.
began stacking up in ports as a dearth of truck drivers, among other factors, meant that containers could not be moved away from ports and taken to their final destination quickly enough. This led to a huge backlog of ships waiting for days or weeks in order to offload cargo.
October From the beginning, the global supply crunch for computer chips – fueled by soaring demand for electronics amid the increase in remote working – had disrupted car production and pushed up the prices of laptops and printers.
Shortages breakout across the country for a wide range of products and devices used in healthcare – from toilet seats to hospital beds to defibrillators and more. Most of those shortages are for supplies that have nothing to do with treating COVID-19.
Glove-maker Supermax Corp is banned by the U.S., likely leading to near-term shortages of gloves
Shortages of raw materials, including plastics, metals, glass, and electronics, hamper production for manufacturers
Shipping logjams reach ports on the East Coast
Mid September The Port of Long Beach, California moves to 24/7 operations in order to clear the growing shipping logjam.
Late September
Early October
Mid October
Computer chip and semiconductor shortages continue to increase, putting providers on high alert for lengthy delays for imaging equipment, among other critical electronics.
Providers begin asking local communities for donations of crutches and other gently used medical supplies amid a growing aluminum shortage
Late October
November
Port backlogs continue to increase Trucking industry announces huge need for drivers, and new policies at ports
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December 2021
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