Developing an Integrated Medical Equipment Supply Chain Model and its Impact on Improving Health-Based Services; A Case Study in a Hospital in Tehran

Supply chain integration has always had a positive impact on the quality of patient care. Given the enormous impact of the health system on citizens' lives and the complexity of the supply chain in this system, the aim of the present study was to identify and rank the effective factors on hospital supply chain integration and then propose a model.

Library studies and a focus group meeting consisted of 4 experts in the field of medical equipment and procurement were used to identify the factors affecting supply chain integration. The opinions of 4 hospital experts were also used to rank the criteria and sub-criteria. The ranking technique used is fuzzy hierarchical analysis.

11 sub-criteria related to external supply chain integration and 9 sub-criteria related to internal supply chain integration were identified. These sub-criteria were then subdivided into three criteria: information management, relationship management, and operations management. In terms of external integration, the criteria for managing relationships and sub-criteria of our commitment to the parties, supply chain program and long-term working relationship were most important. Also, in terms of internal integration of information management criteria and sub-criteria having IT platforms and the process of executing internal purchases were more important than other criteria and sub-criteria.

The model of supply chain integration of medical equipment was presented in terms of internal and external dimensions and the following important factors of each of these dimensions along with their weight. Finally, based on the above findings, practical suggestions have been made to improve the integrity of the hospital supply chain in the field of medical equipment. This model is very effective in improving the health system and quality of patient care.