Medical Supply Chain Challenges And Its Effects on Healthcare Industries
November 12, 2021
- What Triggered The Healthcare Supply Chain Shortages?
- Shortages Make It Difficult to Keep Up
- Medical Equipment Affected By Healthcare Supply Chain Shortage
- Soma Tech Intl Managing The Healthcare Supply Chain
- Requesting Refurbished Medical Equipment
- Final Thought
By now, you’ve probably heard: The world has run short of a great many products. Supply chain bottlenecks have caused record shortages of everyday products from household goods, and food to computer chips, cars, and raw materials. For shoppers, empty shelves can be jarring, causing panic-buying sprees. The same can be said of the ripple effects of healthcare supply chain shortages have had on the healthcare industry as well as many other industries.
Continue reading further to learn more.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES?
In 2020, coronavirus shutdowns wreaked havoc on the global supply chain. Since lingering virus-mitigation measures continue to limit efforts to return the supply chain to pre-pandemic levels. Several industry players limited workers’ levels due to fears of the further spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. In China, port terminals temporarily shuttered as a result of the country’s COVID-19 zero-tolerance policy, spawning backlogs at some of the world’s largest ports.
While consumer demand can increase in a matter of months, it takes more time to increase port capacity, build warehouses, hire employees, etc., to meet the demand.
SHORTAGES MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP
Ports, warehouses, and trucking companies are processing more goods than ever while combatting a series of crushing shortages, including workers, equivalents, and space. Most notably, the national labor shortage has left warehouse companies scrambling for employees and key US ports working with limited manpower. With fewer workers to process the goods, shipping yards, and warehouses are running out of space, making it increasingly difficult to organize the output of goods to their final destinations.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AFFECTED BY HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGE
The healthcare supply chain shortage has affected the medical healthcare industry—hospitals and other medical facilities. While only a fraction of the world’s chips end up in medical equipment compared with cars and consumer electronics, the components are key to a range of vital medical devices such as:
- MRI Machines
- Pacemakers
- Blood sugar Monitors for diabetes
- CT Scanners
- Defibrillators
- Multiparameter Monitors
- Ultrasounds
As a result, hospitals are experiencing long order delays because of the semiconductor shortage.
SOMA TECH INTL MANAGING THE HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN
Here at SOMA Tech Intl, we are fully sourced domestic supply and don’t rely on international markets. As many are experiencing healthcare supply chain shortages of hospital equipment, SOMA is fully equipped with new, used, and refurbished capital medical equipment. Our vast inventory of equipment includes:
- Ventilators
- Infusion Pumps
- ICU Beds
- Defibrillators
- Anesthesia Machines
- Patient Monitors
- Pulse Oximeters
- Electrosurgical Units
- Surgical Microscopes
- C-Arms
- Ultrasounds
- X-ray machines and many more
Due to the extensive line of medical equipment we offer, medical facilities are buying more actively. SOMA Tech Intl works closely with our hospital partners to ensure they have the necessary medical equipment to properly operate each hospital unit efficiently and cost-effectively.
REQUESTING REFURBISHED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
If you are experiencing the need for certain medical units, you can contact us at 1-800-GET-SOMA or email us at [email protected]. One of our knowledgeable sales representatives can assist you with any further inquiries you may have. Furthermore, we offer refurbished medical equipment up to 50% below OEM prices with the same service and warranty as new. This can certainly ensure a lasting value on your medical investments.
FINAL THOUGHT
Ultimately, as the effects of the healthcare supply chain shortages continue to escalate, SOMA Tech Intl has not been affected and is continuously supplying the needed demand for refurbished capital medical equipment.
Did you find this article informative? Have you or your facility been affected by the supply chain shortage? Is there anything else you would like to learn more about? Leave us a comment below!