healthcare value analysis
By Kimberly Miner , RN , MSN , MHA
Value Analysis Manages a Hand Hygiene Conversion With the Development of a Conversion Toolkit
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global healthcare environment . Healthcare organizations continue to face a variety of economic challenges related to supply disruptions that impact the ability to provide patient care . Given the dynamic and complex state of the current healthcare environment it has become vital to standardize clinical commodity products to minimize supply disruptions .
During the COVID-19 pandemic all healthcare organizations were challenged with the ability to procure hand sanitizer
Although suppliers have been able to ramp up production to meet current demand it is important to act on the lessons learned during the pandemic to position ourselves better for future disruptions .” products . Healthcare organizations resorted to refilling bottles , purchasing any available product , or even manufacturing their own hand sanitizer to prevent a disruption in patient care . Although suppliers have been able to ramp up production to meet current demand it is important to act on the lessons learned during the pandemic to position ourselves better for future disruptions .
One valuable lesson learned from the pandemic includes standardizing clinical commodity products . Standardizing hand sanitizer products within an organization can prevent supply disruptions by increasing allocation levels with suppliers , allow the internal movement of inventory when supply is tight , and reduce the logistical management of multiple products . Although a simple concept , the process of standardizing hand hygiene products within an organization can be complex and challenging to manage . Hand sanitizer products must adhere to standards and specifications related to alcohol content , require equipment , and installation of dispensers .
After completing a major hand sanitizer conversion across a large healthcare organization , these challenges were recognized , and a hand sanitizer conversion toolkit was developed . This conversion toolkit assists to mitigate the challenges and reduce the complexity for any size healthcare organization .
The value analysis process was implemented in the design of the hand sanitizer conversion toolkit and began with the validation of the chosen formulary product . The selection of formulary products involved close collaboration with the infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) team , occupational health services and a team of dermatologists who advise the Skin Safe Program . The Skin Safe Program works to identify and recommend the safest products that come into contact with staff and patient skin . After product validation and recommendation for the formulary product list was complete , the next step was to operationalize
the conversion to standardize . The operationalization phase of the conversion is where the complexity begins , especially in a large healthcare organization .
Recognizing the complexity and challenges of this type of conversion led to the development of the hand sanitizer conversion toolkit . The toolkit identifies five main phases and breaks each phase down into actionable steps . Each phase of the conversion is organized into a detailed checklist format . The toolkit also identifies required and optional steps and highlights key considerations for a successful conversion . Overall , the toolkit outlines the conversion process and provides all the information needed to prepare end users . It also assists to identify key stakeholders that need to be involved in each stage of the conversion / implementation process as this type of conversion requires a collaborative approach .
The standardization of hand sanitizer products across the Mayo Enterprise presented a variety of positive outcomes . The initial outcome was the elimination of a custom hand sanitizer bottle that was being manufactured to fit into wall and bed brackets . Following standardization , the number of hand sanitizer products purchased across the Enterprise was reduced by more than 70 percent . This reduction has had significant impact in the amount of time staff have dedicated to logistically manage hand hygiene products as well as capitalizes on the limited physical space needed to store these products at the warehouse . Standardization also provides a consistent supply of products to ensure access and visibility of hand hygiene products for clinicians , patients , and visitors . The development of the toolkit led to successful outcomes after conversion . This conversion toolkit can be scaled and reformatted for other conversion activities .
In conclusion , the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global healthcare environment and has created economic struggles for all healthcare organizations . The demand of hand sanitizer products increased enormously during the pandemic which created a supply shortage issue around the world . Over time , suppliers have been able to ramp up production to meet the current demand , but supply shortages are likely to be long lasting .
Although the supply of hand sanitizer products has stabilized the delivery of healthcare products relies on a variety of factors including raw material , labor , and logistical management of materials . Healthcare organizations have learned a variety of lessons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic . Standardizing clinical commodity products using a conversion toolkit is a valuable way to position healthcare organizations for success in navigating supply shortages and outages in the future .
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