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Medi-Ops Medical Logistics Nutshell
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services

Medical Logistics in a Nutshell

The increasing need for solid medical logistics operators in the everyday world of medicine is undeniable. Through challenges and industry innovations, logistics are more important today than ever before. The ever-changing world of medicine has high demands for logistics and transportation companies, as it should. Healthcare is an extraordinarily precise and demanding industry. Only the best individuals, providers, companies, and organizations should be involved. If you’re ever looking for a comprehensive overview of the challenges, reality, and innovations of medical logistics, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in…

What is Medical Logistics, Anyway?

Medical logistics involves every detail of the in-between, usually boiling down to organizing and delivering health supplies, medicines, surgical and other medical equipment, blood and tissues, the list goes on. At Medi-Ops, several services are provided to cover all areas of transport – patient, ground, and air transportation routes with several options within each of these areas guarantee the perfect plan for every situation that presents itself.

Hospitals, clinics, medical offices, pharmacies, laboratories, medical supply companies, and blood banks are just a few of the businesses that utilize medical supply logistics services. By using medical logistics companies, these businesses are able to provide high-quality service as well as efficient and productive day-to-day operations.

The importance of this industry is obvious – providers and facilities need shipments of the necessary equipment and products to keep everyday operations running smoothly. And those smoothly running operations are what improve and save the lives of countless individuals every year. 

Medical Logistics Challenges

This industry is rapidly growing and has high demand, to say the least. In a field like medicine, the latest technologies, methods, and innovations are constantly improving and medical logistics providers must stay on top of all these changes and be able to use and cater to them. This comes with some difficulties and challenges.

  • Climate control: different medicines and transports involving the movement of blood, organs, or other tissues require climate-controlled transportation. Maintaining the product integrity is of utmost importance and necessary precautions must be taken during transport to ensure that factors of temperature, humidity, and time are all perfectly taken care of.
  • Documentation: regulations and compliance are essential for medical logistics services to ensure. Different methods of transportation require certain certifications, documentation, and compliance. Therefore, choosing a medical logistics provider that has all of the necessary documentation is a requirement for those looking for the safest logistics and transportation plans possible.
  • Increased demand: as said before, the medical logistics industry is a quickly growing one. Due to this reality, keeping up with the industry trends and high demand is vital for medical logistics services to keep in mind. The trends and changes in medicine also highly affect this area. Just take a look at precision medicine, a promising and rapidly growing field. In this, medicines are prescribed and created based on age, gender, condition, medical history, etc. of the patient rather than just off of the diagnosis. This creates a more diverse group of medicines, each with its own specifications, transportation needs, and destination.
  • Security and tracking: the security and integrity of those packages in transport must be established for medical logistics to work properly. Medical logistics services must find ways to ensure the safety of the product in transport. At Medi-Ops, we provide comprehensive tracking, documenting, and security information throughout transport. Not only is this for safety and maintaining product integrity, but also for peace of mind for clients and assurance that everything is being sent and received on time. 

Medical Logistics Innovations 

Every industry has its challenges, but with that, every industry also has its achievements and innovations. The medical logistics world is no different. In a highly technological and competitive field, the world of medicine is constantly changing, discovering, and implementing new things in every sense of the word.

  • Tracking and visibility: with the need for tracking and security of logistics stated above, the technology that allows for these services is continuously improving. Medi-Ops has customized our software to allow for visibility on our end as well as the client’s end. 
  • New delivery methods: the vast number of delivery methods allow for customizable transportation plans and options. From ground transportation (which at Medi-Ops includes NEMT transportation, lights and sirens transport, and standard transportation options) to air transport (courier services, next flight out, on-board, fixed-wing, and rotor aircraft services). Unmanned aerial services are also an innovation and look towards the future of medical delivery.
  • Digitized and personalized medicine: the combination of a digital world and personalized medicine opens up a world of opportunity for patient care and healthcare provider options and administrations. It also allows the medical logistics providers to step into a unique opportunity to continue enhancing the specificity and effectiveness of medicine.

Medical logistics is one of the most intricate and important fields out there. So much goes into the details. After all, this is an industry working with the responsibility of human lives. No wonder only the best, future-thinking competitors should be allowed a foot in the door. Logistics services can offer the next step in ensuring that every day is more effective and efficient as the last.

Medical Logistics Summary
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Blood Bank, Courier Services, Medical & Healthcare News, Organ Donation, Radiopharmaceuticals

Write That Down! Documentation and Compliance in Medical Transportation

While the subject of documentation and record keeping often goes undiscussed or explored, it is an administrative reality that everyone is familiar with. Let’s be honest – documentation, filing, records, and miscellanies admin tasks aren’t always the most exciting parts of jobs, conversations, or our days. However, when it comes down to it, there is extreme importance on documentation and compliance within various governing bodies and organizations. The concept and action of documentation ensures that standards are being met and that all communication is clear and uncomplicated.

Why Documentation?

First off, documentation has incredible importance not only in maintaining the smooth running of operations and communications, but also in compliance. State and federal regulations for both ground and air transportation have certain standards that medical companies, organizations, providers, and institutions need to keep up with in order to maintain compliance. 

There is a base level of documentation and standards required in order for an organization to be running smoothly. Failure to report and document information threatens the integrity and safety of those involved. This can affect individuals specifically as well as the company or organization as a whole. Losing trust or compliance with governing bodies can also be detrimental and result in revoked licenses or certifications as well as destroying industry reputation. 

Government Bodies and Requirements

As a medical logistics and transportation program, our clientele ranges from those more in the transportation business, to researchers, to medical products, to suppliers, providers, and medical and emergency facilities. Therefore, compliance requirements can vary depending on the client and products being transported or worked with. However, there is value in understanding why documentation is required and the purpose of compliance in any case or situation. 

FAA: The Federal Aviation Administration uses compliance as a means of identifying any safety issues and deviations from standards to apply corrective actions and measures as quickly as possible. 

DOT: The Department of Transportation utilizes compliance to maintain and develop safe transport of vehicles, cargo, shipping containers, etc. Meeting and exceeding the standards DOT has surrounding safety-sensitive issues results in compliance.

NRC: The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission gives licenses and certifications based on compliance and requirements met. Failure to meet compliance results in revoked licenses and suspensions from the commission. 

TSA: the Transportation Security Administration also highlights safety as a huge reason for extensive compliance requirements. In situations such as providing on-board couriers and air transportation, these compliances are essential. Without them, there’s not a chance that air transport will even be an option.

DHS: the Department of Homeland Security emphasizes, you guessed it, the safety and security of all parties involved in transportation processes. No surprises here! 

IATA: International Air Transport Association has an incredible number of partnerships with governments, airports, transportation companies, etc. Therefore, their main goal with compliance is to ensure that all bodies have the essential information needed.

A common thread in looking through all of these governing bodies’ compliance statements and standards is the issues of safety and communication. Documentation and upkeep are essential in maintaining these compliance standards, and therefore maintaining the integrity of organizations and the safety of all parties involved in operations. 

Compliance and Its Importance

Essentially, all organizations must maintain regulatory compliance. This is a set of procedures and regulations that support the governing body’s requirements. Most compliance within the medical transportation world is aimed at supporting high-quality transportation, safety, and data security. The transportation world, specifically medical transportation, involves a high number of logistics to maintain the integrity of products being transported as well as patient safety if patients are being transported. Therefore, a lot of thought and safety checks are involved in these processes. All of these need to be documented and recorded to ensure that all operations are running smoothly. The governing bodies that are overseeing some of these processes and transports need this information as well to ensure that safety and security standards are being met. Failure in compliance can result in several serious consequences ranging from financial effects and fines to destroyed reputations. 

MediOps Makes it Easier

One of the priorities of Medi-Ops is innovative and future-forward thinking. Because of this, our custom software allows us to maintain documentation requirements for our clients without them having to record documentation of their own. One less task and worry for our clients means that we are not only taking care of medical logistics needs but taking that extra step where clients can truly know that every aspect and detail – from big orders and transportation needs down to documentation – is being taken care of. This allows them to focus on the crucial medical work they are completing without having to spend extra time on admin tasks.

The technology and software that allow Medi-Ops to maintain documentation are the same systems that provide transparency and tracking of shipments. Clients are easily able to track and see shipments in real-time, knowing that every detail and requirement is being taken care of.

All in all, the reality of documentation importance can’t be dismissed – from both a practical standpoint to a compliance standard. That’s why Medi-Ops cares enough to develop technology to further support clients in this aspect of medical fieldwork. No detail is too small to develop future-forward and innovative ways to approach and address it.

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.

Medical logistics are already benefiting from the use of electric vehicles.
Author Medi-Ops Team Categories Courier Services

Electric Vehicles and Sustainability

As the topics of sustainability and climate change sweep the world and continue to grow exceedingly important, all areas of medical logistics need to be evaluated in order to promote better environmental practices for all parties involved. This includes looking for solutions in vehicles – both ground and air – as well as evaluating other aspects of transportation. Autonomous vehicles are one way to promote sustainability, but electric and green vehicles can’t be overlooked when it comes to transportation and sustainability.

Climate Change and Its Importance

The importance of climate change can’t be underestimated, and the impact of vehicles is no joke. Highway vehicles release around 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year. In addition, the carbon pollution from gasoline and emissions is paramount. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons which contribute to the Earth’s atmosphere warming and changes to the climate that we see daily. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation amount to 29 percent of the total emissions in the US. While 29 percent might not seem like that large of a number, transportation emissions are the leading contributor to GHG emissions. 

Taking care of the environment and looking after our planet is extraordinarily important. The field of transportation is one that everyone – individuals, companies, and organizations alike – can look towards to find solutions and promote more sustainable practices. While making these choices on a personal level can be easier than on a worldwide level, every choice counts and is paramount for the future of our planet.

What are Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Options?

Electric Vehicles are a great option here due to the fact that they use an electric motor that emits no exhaust and doesn’t require liquid fuel. There are hybrid electric or plug-in hybrid options here that can also contribute to a more environmentally friendly future.

Eco-friendly vehicles are pretty broad in that they run more efficiently and are said to be environmentally friendly, however as with any sustainability initiatives and products, these terms can mean a lot of different things.

Hydrogen fuel-cell cars are powered by hydrogen as opposed to batteries and are another green option in terms of vehicles and transportation. Hydrogen cars can typically offer a longer driving range than electric, making them a more reliable option for long-distance travel. The only downside here is that electric cars can offer a more responsive driving experience through better acceleration and torque.

Vehicular Solutions to Climate Change

Medical transportation and logistics rely heavily on vehicles and their operators. Both emergency and non-emergency transportation require reliable, efficient vehicles to transport patients, medical equipment, and products alike. Medical transportation needs to retain its reliability and efficiency while looking for ways to take strides toward a more sustainable future. 

As environmentally-friendly, green vehicles become more reliable and continue their technological development, medical transportation companies such as Medi-Ops can begin to invest in green solutions and vehicles without compromising their reliability. 

The vehicles above are great options for ground transportation, but what about air transportation? The aviation industry is a large contributor to GHG emissions. Electric planes and aircraft may point towards a sustainable future. Producing zero direct emissions and operating quietly means electric planes are reducing their carbon footprint and reducing noise pollution. The difficulty here is that there is limited energy storage capacity of batteries, which significantly restricts aircraft range and payload capability. 

The challenges that appear in creating electric and green vehicles with the same capability as traditional vehicles are apparent. However, the future of these developments is incredibly promising. This industry is rapidly growing and many new prototypes and developments present as viable options for overcoming some of these challenges and hurdles in the future. 

What This Means for Medi-Ops

Good medical logistics means less error and unnecessary trips as well as more efficiency. Medi-Ops is able to expand on efficiency of logistics for this reason. Looking ahead, as technology develops and electric vehicles in both ground and air transportation become more viable, medical transportation can begin to switch out gas vehicles for electric options. As the primary concern in transportation surrounding healthcare is patient safety, these changes can only be made when there are guarantees that green vehicles can do their jobs to the level of efficiency and speed as current transportation options.

An exciting future lies ahead when it comes to sustainable transportation in terms of the healthcare and medical fields. At Medi-Ops, the use and implementation of green vehicles is an exciting prospect and component of the future of medical transportation. Since we work in both ground and air transportation, a keen eye on the advancements in green vehicles and air technology is a top priority. The technological advances in this field are thrilling and hold much promise for a future of fighting climate change and pursuing environmentally friendly practices.

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