Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Health said Oct. 27 it is taking several steps to make sure current global supply chain disruptions don't affect patients' quality of care.
In a news release shared with Becker's, the health system said its current main supply-related concern is related to supplies needed to test for COVID-19 and supplies needed to treat COVID-19 patients.
Reports of panic ordering in anticipation of supply chain issues are adding to global supply shortages, but Aspirus said it has measures in place to stay ahead of the issue.
"One is certainly casting a wide net," Gary Rakes, vice president and chief supply chain officer of Aspirus Health, said in the news release. "But a lot of it is really the industry is working together. Other health systems are working with us, and we're working with them to provide supplies."
He added that the health system has allocations from its manufacturers and distributors to ensure they are giving a fair share of supply to all of their clients and that one particular health system doesn't get an overwhelming share.
"We keep a very high level in inventories available just to counteract any sort of supply chain disruptions. We've invested in inventory over time in order to basically safeguard or have a little bit of guardrail so that we're not in a position that we're running completely out of products," Mr. Rakes said.
He added that the best way to make sure supply shortages don't affect patient care is by everyone doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep people out of the hospital.