Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have shown just how important it is to establish preparedness plans that address how healthcare facilities can best manage inventory in crises or for other specific needs.
This includes determining your most important supplies for contingency stock scenarios, locating sufficient space, and getting the right support for your logistical needs. When building out your contingency stock plan, be sure to determine the space you’ll need and the right way to store your organization’s supplies in this space.
It is imperative to locate sufficient space for your contingency stock, and plan for space needed for up to 90 days of inventory on hand (DIOH). The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many states mandating a 14-90 DIOH for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To get an idea of how to plan for space need, 90 days of PPE inventory for a stand-alone 350 bed hospital would be approximately 260 pallets/3,500 sq. ft. of warehouse space. Also understand what kind of storage space you require. Some product categories require temperature and / or humidity control, while others may have hazmat requirements. Be sure your warehouse can support these product specific needs.
For more tips on building your contingency stock storage plan, explore resources on our Strategic Stock Solution webpage.