The supply chain poses a number of challenges for hospitals and health systems, and is often at the focal point of efforts to eliminate waste and reduce spending. A recent survey from MHI and Deloitte narrows in on the top challenges facing supply chain professionals this year.
The 2016 MHI annual industry report, called "Accelerating Change: How Innovation is Driving Digital 'Always-On' Supply Chains," includes survey responses from 900 supply chain industry leaders.
Here are the top supply chain challenges of 2016, according to the report.
1. Customer demands for faster response times — 90 percent of respondents said this was extremely challenging, very challenging or somewhat challenging.
2. Hiring and retaining a skilled workforce — 89 percent
3. Customer demands for lower delivered costs/pricing — 89 percent
4. Increasing competitive intensity, rising customer service expectations — 89 percent
5. Increasing volatility of demand — 86 percent
6. Customer demands for more customized products and services — 82 percent
7. Increasing volatility of supply, including supply chain disruptions — 81 percent
8. Increasing number of products — 78 percent
9. Customer demands for more supply chain transparency/sustainability — 67 percent
10. Customer demands for smaller, more frequent shipments — 66 percent