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Software tracking page.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services

Tracking Systems: Need, Importance, and Logistics in the Medical Field

In medical logistics, the technological advances that have made GPS tracking and monitoring of equipment possible will be forever praised. From maintaining shipment integrity to improving transportation systems, tracking and monitoring technology prove invaluable to the medical industry. 

Is tracking necessary?

Short answer? Yes. Tracking and monitoring of medical shipments (blood, organs, equipment, supplies, etc.) significantly increases transparency, efficiency, and reliability of shipments and medical facilities alike. While the medical field already has a stigma of being precise and efficient, there is always a possibility of human error. Hospitals can use tracking to avoid accidental losses, misplacement, or theft of items. These mistakes happen, and the use of devices with the capabilities to track and monitor shipments helps to reduce and mitigate issues when they arise. Knowing the geographical location can help with the planning and preparation of procedures as well as provide assurance and affirmation that shipments are coming when they are supposed to from where they are supposed to. This increase in visibility can provide peace of mind for patients, clients, and the facilities receiving and sending shipments.

At Medi-Ops, we are able to ensure fast and efficient movement of shipments due to our incredible tracking, monitoring, and software capabilities. Logistics should bring the best possible experience to both sender and receiver when it comes to sending and receiving anything that relates to the medical industry. Patients’ lives are often on the line when it comes down to it. Due to this fact, the efficiency and integrity of every aspect of the supply chain and medical processes and procedures should be as smooth as possible. To achieve that level of industry excellence, proper tracking and monitoring is essential.

The reporting and data analytics that come from using tracking systems are also extraordinarily helpful in supply chain evaluation. With the ability to see how shipments and supply chain logistics play out in terms of numbers, organizations can easily figure out where holes are and what improvements need to be made. The ability to recognize and improve supply chain performance is an invaluable tool in maintaining a constant state of analytics and improvement for organizations, facilities, and other clientele.

What does tracking and monitoring look like?

Using trackers allows the location and the condition of an order to be shared in real time. The reduction of risk, efficient operation, and assurance of on-time and in-full deliveries that trackers provide proves to be worth the effort of acquisition and use. Trackers in these cases can use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. A tracking system with this technology uses tags and readers, with the tags powered by the reader and don’t need a battery. Readers rely on radio waves and signals to communicate with one another and transmit valuable data and tracking information. Besides this kind of technology, GPS trackers are also used. With air travel, non-lithium options are essential as well.

Monitoring of temperature, orientation, shocks, light, and humidity is important when dealing with sensitive products and shipments. Parcels containing pharmaceuticals or things like organs, blood, or tissues require close monitoring to ensure the integrity of the product. When a package containing items such as these has an issue with conditions like or similar to those above, they need to be solved immediately to maintain product viability. With sensors and trackers similar to the technology listed above, alerts can be sent in real-time and any issues with product conditions can be solved upon alert and in time to save the shipment from potential spoil. This information can prove extraordinarily valuable and save time, products, and ultimately patients’ lives. 

Where do we go from here?

Integrating tracking and monitoring as a priority in medical logistics is an integral part of planning well when it comes to the transportation of supplies and products. With the added information and transparency that this technology provides, there is no doubt that it is an essential piece of the medical logistics puzzle. 

At Medi-Ops, the use of tracking technology and software is a large priority. The transparency and efficiency that come to fruition here can’t go unappreciated and holds so much value. With the expansion of logistical capital that comes with tracking and monitoring comes better relationships with clients, higher integrity of products, and time-efficient practices in shipments (which can’t go unnoticed or unvalued in the medical field). Tracking and monitoring are already advanced in technology, but as always, Medi-Ops will continue to look to the future and adjust course as necessary to provide the best, most efficient, and technologically advanced systems to continue to provide the best medical logistics options out there.

Precision Medicine
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services

Precise. Specialized. Innovative. What Medical Logistics Should Look Like

Precision medicine has long been a buzzword in the health world, but the ability to select, plan, and monitor treatment on this level is hard to implement. As medicine is continually developing and returning new methods and products, specialized logistics are now in demand to meet this innovative field where it is at. Just as precision or personalized medicine is growing in popularity throughout the medical world, personalized and precision logistics should become a priority as well.

Precision Medicine Logistics

Every person is different and is susceptible to certain diseases and health issues based on behavior, environment, and genetics. Healthcare professionals can use this personal information to learn which medical path is right for you, the individual. The medical field recognizes, through precision or personalized medicine, that sometimes there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. This kind of medicine allows customized and tailored medical plans, treatments, and drugs for the individual needs of a patient. Anything from disease prevention to treatments to monitoring can fall under and be improved by precision medicine. Medical plans are determined and put into place using technologies such as genome testing, infant screening, or biomarker testing. With precision medicine, treatments, and therapies are able to target the disease exactly how the patient’s body experiences it. This leads to more effective treatments and, of course, this level of care also comes with its own needs and logistics in order to ensure proper and efficient function. 

Technological innovation in both monitoring systems and communication is necessary to maintain sustainable personalized medicine. Personal devices for at-home monitoring in patients that may require higher levels of attention are essential here. Technological systems and programs can aid in effective communication between patient and provider, limiting the need for extra appointments. Programs to track and monitor drugs and product shipment also come into play, as specialized and individualized treatment plans are going to come with individualized drugs, medicines, and products required for that patient. 

A large part of what makes up precision medicine logistics is the transportation and delivery of treatments. Reliable and safe delivery of time-sensitive materials is a large priority here. Almost always, climate-controlled vehicles, trained specialists and drivers, proven route management, and technologically enabled tracking and monitoring are important factors to consider in precision medicine logistics. 

Specialized Logistics and Development

So many important factors go into specialized logistics for different fields of medicine, equipment, drugs, individuals, etc. 

  • Transparency: Transparent logistics and communication are essential. Shipments need to be controlled and visible. This can tangibly look like real-time alerts and notifications of shipments, tracking and monitoring, or implementing effective infrastructure to transmit data and monitoring information.
  • Development: Each field of medicine has different needs and priorities meaning that each field of medicine needs specialized logistics. Since medicine looks different in different scenarios, logistics should be personally developed to cater to them. The development of a logistics plan is conducted properly with clear goals and communication between the client and the logistics provider. Effective logistics providers can determine the needs and nuances of each situation a client presents them with. From the information provided, a conversation and actionable plan where no stone is left unturned can be developed to best meet the needs of the client and maximize all the services offered by the logistics provider. 
  • Innovation: Organizations, care facilities, providers, and partners alike should constantly be looking for holes in treatment plans and ways to improve them. Innovative ideas and solutions should be an expected part of precision medicine, not a rare sight. This means constant evaluation and review of current logistics plans, recognizing when changes need to be made or new/better solutions can be added.
  • Attention to detail: Naturally, implementing logistics on this level takes an added scheme of personalization, effort, and attention to detail. The little things and specificity of this field are what make it great, meaning the logistical framework put in place needs to match the level of attention and precision given to the development and implementation of these precision medicine plans.

Implementation of Logistics with Medi-Ops

Medi-Ops specifically has dispatchers to discuss options and set up the travel and transportation plan that best fits the client, patient, or situation by taking in both logistical and financial considerations. With both industry and technological expertise, Medi-Ops is a go-to for the best precision medicine logistics.

In itself, the Medi-Ops mantra goes along with professional and personal services, offering forward-thinking logistics in every scenario. The wide variety of consulting to NEMT to emergency to courier transportation allows us to offer the wide range of services required to cater to the wide range of needs that arise in precision medicine logistics.

Conclusion

All in all, with a medical field rapidly gearing towards precision medicine treatments and more personalized medical plans for individuals, logistics, along with their precision and specificity, must evolve along with it. Companies such as Medi-Ops are growing ever more essential in order to have the smoothest, safest medical experience possible – from a patient standpoint as well as a facility or organizational perspective.

A group of healthcare individuals discussing patient care.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Medical & Healthcare News

4 Ways For Hospitals to Anticipate Medical Needs of Older Adults

In a post-pandemic era where hospitals already feel the strain of staffing and other issues, how are they dealing with challenges that come from a growing aging population? This is a topic that doesn’t go unnoticed and is demanding the attention of hospitals daily. 

The aging population is ever increasing in the United States and this trend is still looking up. An estimated twenty percent of Americans will be sixty-five or older by 2030. With this significant number of older individuals comes more and more need to ensure proper healthcare and procedures for this generation. Individuals falling in this age range have a wide variety of medical needs. Stereotypes of older adults often portray frail and dependent individuals. However, a grand part of this cohort is completely independent, healthy, and self-sufficient. Regardless of an individual’s condition at this point in life, more regular health checkups and needs arise, creating a larger dependency on hospitals and medical centers among this age group. 

Technological advances and strides in the medical field have provided an outlet of extraordinary care for this group. However, the need for staff, empowerment, and ensuring engagement in health care knowledge among these older adults is apparent. Here are some factors hospitals and medical centers will need to consider in order to best serve this generation…

Prepared and Full Workforce

Creative education and training approaches surrounding geriatrics for all healthcare professionals, not just those preparing to work in geriatric care, should be a priority in the field of medical schools and training centers. Conditions such as dementia, falls, and mental health are just a few examples of what should be included in models of care for the aging population. The “4Ms” framework (what matters, mentation, medication, and mobility) is one approach that has been proven to result in improved care across the board. Frameworks and approaches such as these can be used in education and training for all healthcare professionals to improve the care and the health experience for providers and patients alike. A continued eye for innovation in designing training programs and education is essential when anticipating care for an aging generation.

Approaches to Care Delivery

The growth of telehealth, virtual healthcare services, and technology has created incredible strides in new care delivery approaches. Given that an individual in the aging population has access to these technologies, it can dramatically increase the frequency and quality of care received. Telehealth makes keeping regular check-in and consultation appointments far more convenient for providers and patients alike. The logistical factors of transportation and clinic space are taken out of the equation with the use of virtual visits. The continued increase of technology use in care delivery will help anticipate the needs and address challenges in best serving and caring for the aging population.

Of course, the benefits coming from virtual care services are only helpful when older adults have the access and technological knowledge required. Since this must be taken into consideration, hospitals and care centers should anticipate the fact that these adults may not always have access to technology or knowledge to operate the programs and applications being used. Therefore, education and accessibility to these technologies is an important factor when it comes to caring for this specific population.

Resources for Long Term Services and End of Life Care

Serious illnesses do arise and disproportionately affect older adults. While an unfortunate and undesirable thought to have, the planning of these illnesses is imperative when anticipating care for the aging population. Going back to a prepared workforce, caregivers should be trained in communication and symptom management surrounding these illnesses and end-of-life care. Designing facilities and staff training specifically in this concentration is one way hospitals can meet these challenges head-on. 

Proper Transportation Programs

NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation) is an essential factor when it comes to caring for older adults. Those who may not be able to drive or need transport assistance to appointments rely on NEMT to access the care that they require. Medi-Ops provides NEMT services with efficiency and professionalism. These services range from wheelchair, ambulatory, stretcher, or even rideshare transport. Whether it’s office visits or hospital discharges, proper and safe transportation for individuals is an essential component of care. When medical service centers and hospitals have a variety of transportation options and partners, they are better able to serve the medical and financial needs of patients. 

Clearly, many of these issues and needs could be taken to a higher level in policy and government aid, however, there is plenty that hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical partners can be doing and looking towards when it comes to taking care of the aging population. Preparation and anticipation of needs are key in this case, and there are very possible ways to better care for and protect this valuable population of individuals.

Communication with patients is enabled by technology.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Medical & Healthcare News

Healthcare Communication: From Paper to Pixels

Since news and information move so quickly in the healthcare industry, effective and established communication channels are imperative to maintaining successful operations. Communication in this sector has developed and improved over time to carry information effectively across all levels of the industry – patients, medical personnel, facilities, etc. Since this industry is so technologically focused, communication and the methods of going about it are constantly changing and developing. 

History of Communication in Healthcare

Digital technology and digitized communication have done wonders for the healthcare industry. However, even today there is a mix of traditional and digital communication channels to make up one efficient system. The first digital systems were integrated into the healthcare industry in the 1960s when EHRs (electronic health records) came into play. By the 1980s, digitized records were widely used and instilled, creating easier record access for patients and facilities alike. Around this time, business technology such as faxing also became widely available and used in healthcare facilities. Computer use was still limited, but growing more popular in this decade.

The 1990s brought the wonderful invention of the internet and this significantly increased digital communication use. Recording, transferring, and sharing patient records, prescription history, and medical information alike became much more feasible. 

Since the 2000s, we have seen technological communication skyrocket, not only with records and patient communication, but also with emergency transportation and communication, telemedicine, computing and research, AI, data analytics, and so much more. 

Importance of Communication in the Healthcare Industry

Before digital communication methods entered the industry, patient records on paper weren’t as accurate or accessible and made for longer delays in patient care. EHRs and digital technologies have streamlined administrative processes as well as improved patient engagement, care, and accuracy in diagnosis and analytics. 

Effective and efficient communication can save lives and precious time in both administrative processes and patient care. Research and clinical processes benefit from these communication channels as well. 

Besides digital and internal communication,  healthcare facilities, companies, and organizations that consistently provide clear and constant communication with clients, patients, and providers have a wealth of trust and reliability which translates to greater success in the industry. Not to mention, higher rates of satisfaction and productivity. The consumer experience is made or broken by effective and positive communication experiences. Therefore, communication strategies and channels shouldn’t be overlooked by any individual or organization involved in this industry.

Communication Challenges

Technology always has its glitches and issues, so digital communication by no means solves all communication challenges. Organizations, facilities, and healthcare professionals alike still need to be proactive in personal communication measures – engaging with patients and clients in person and in meaningful ways. While digital communication can be an easy answer for many healthcare encounters, the personal touch that in-person or person-to-person communication provides should never be underestimated. Those involved in the healthcare industry should still be aware of the importance of connections and patient-focused care. The way that digital communication has transformed the healthcare industry solves many challenges and streamlines processes, but can also lose the patient-focused, personal touch that other methods of communication provide. Because of this, looking for healthcare partners that have patient-focused missions and actions while also utilizing efficient and current means of communication is vital.

3 New Methods of Digital Communication

  1. Telemedicine is already a new digital communication method that has transformed the healthcare industry (read more about it here!) 
  2. Mobile health provides apps and portals where patients can have more autonomy over their care through monitoring vitals, communicating with providers, keeping track of medications, and more.
  3. Interactive content comes in the form of personalized videos, mini-sites, and an interactive way to communicate with providers and keep track of your progress and care.

Medi-Ops and Transportation Communication

Medi-Ops itself has a seamless method of combining innovative and future technologies with personalized and patient-centered focuses when it comes to communication. As we were founded on taking the hassle out of medical transportation and providing visibility for clients and patients, the concepts of communication and connection go hand in hand. With our dispatch center, operators, and custom software, we make the medical transportation process the easiest possible for you. Our dispatch center is open 24/7, 365 days a year in order to have effective and efficient communication that is always available to the client.

All in all, communication in the healthcare industry has evolved from being strictly paper-based to an innovative, complicated, and efficient flow of digital technologies and traditional communication alike. The importance of efficient communication is paramount. There is also a significant need to keep the personalized touch that traditional and face-to-face communication holds. The ebb and flow of digital and traditional communication channels is an important balance to hold in any context of healthcare facilities and organizations. The flow of efficient communication can save lives, improve organizations, and boost the integrity and reliability of companies and organizations.

Drug discovery is complex and can take a long time.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Medical & Healthcare News

The Journey of a Drug: Idea to FDA Approval

Drug development is an essential process in the healthcare and medical industry. So much goes into creating safe and effective drugs to better treat different conditions and serve patients better. 

According to the FDA, here are the steps for drug development…

Step One: Discovery and Development

In this step, the need for a new drug has been identified, and research begins in a laboratory. Researchers typically find new drugs when insights into a disease are found, existing treatments produce unanticipated effects, or technological advances create new avenues for development. The trial and error process begins in research to find compounds that are viable options for further research. When compounds are found promising, researchers continue to conduct experiments and gather information on the compound itself as well as how to produce it most effectively in drug form. The effectiveness and interactions with other drugs and compounds are also studied and observed at this stage.

Step Two: Preclinical Research

Testing involving people is taken seriously and can not be conducted until researchers are sure that the drug is safe. That is why in preclinical research, good laboratory practices (GLP) are used. These consist of rules to ensure ethical safety and requirements for quality testing and procedures. The results from testing at this stage determine if the product is safe to move on to clinical studies and patient testing.

This step answers the majority of questions about the realities of the drug and how it interacts with the human body. Even so, before public production and distribution can even be discussed, the research team moves on to the next step of clinical research.

Step Three: Clinical Research

As one of the most lengthy aspects of the drug development process, clinical research goes on for years. This step involves the testing of the drug with people. Developers design the studies around Clinical Research Phases and the Investigational New Drug Process (IND). These processes must be completed before human testers are involved. The IND application must be submitted to the FDA before clinical trials can start. All of the preclinical research and data, as well as information about the investigator and developers, must be included. The FDA will respond to the application and either approve clinical trials or place a clinical hold if requirements aren’t met.

There is a specific protocol and plan developed by researchers and manufacturers for clinical trials. This includes confirming participant numbers, groupings, and qualifications, drug dosage and administration, and data collection and analysis.

Clinical Trial Phases

Phase 1: The first phase involves a small number of qualified participants with the condition being treated. This stage lasts several months, and if the results prove successful, the drug moves on to phase two. 70% of drugs move on to the next phase.

Phase 2: This phase utilizes a larger group of people (sometimes several hundred) and will be carried out anywhere from a few months to over 2 years. The timing of this stage is dependent on the drug and determines the efficacy and side effects of the drug. As this phase is more in-depth and informative on how the drug will perform commercially, only 33% of drugs continue.

Phase 3: Anywhere from 300 to 3,000 people with the condition participate in this phase over one to four years to monitor efficacy and reactions. 25-30% of drugs continue to phase 4.

Phase 4: Several thousand volunteers with the condition are involved in this final phase to ensure the safety and efficacy of the product.

Step Four: FDA Review

Once the drug developer determines from all research that the drug is safe and effective, they will file an application to market the drug, which will be reviewed by the FDA review team. The New Drug Application (NDA) will include all of the data gathered from each step of the process up until this point as well as directions for use, labeling, patent information, safety updates, data from other studies, and drug abuse information. The review team is made up of individuals from different fields of medicine who will review all of the data, conduct clinical study site inspections, and assemble all reviews and reports as a record for FDA review.

When determining a safe and effective drug, the FDA will work with the applicant on narrowing down prescribing information (the “labeling” process). If the FDA requires more information or additional studies, they will address that with the applicant.

Step Five: FDA Post-Market Safety Monitoring

Continued monitoring of the drug and its safety will be in effect once public availability is established. This is conducted through supplemental applications, INDs for marked drugs, manufacturer inspections, drug advertising, active surveillance, generic drug manufacturing, and reporting.

As you can see, this process is extensive and lengthy. Between 30 and 50 drugs get approved each year on average. While this process takes a long time, it is important to ensure the safety of drugs and have total knowledge of side effects and how the drug interacts with the human body, environment, and other substances. All in all, drug design, testing, and implementation are essential in the healthcare industry as a whole and should be held with high respect and importance.

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