High-Cost Inventory No Match For McKesson RFID

Vendor-neutral point of use supply cabinets support better business health

With supply costs accounting for the second-largest expense for hospitals after labor, effective supply chain management is critical to lowering costs and improving business health. To assist providers in managing high-dollar inventory, McKesson recently introduced radio frequency identification (RFID) cabinets as part of McKesson Point of Use Supply. The vendor-neutral cabinets now integrate with clinical workflow to better support patient safety while making it easier for providers to monitor inventory and manage expenses, particularly in high-cost specialty areas like cardiology, radiology and OR departments.

“We want to prepare our healthcare partners for the future by providing them with the tools to fully address the challenges of supply chain management,” said Todd Tabel, vice president, McKesson Supply Chain Solutions. “We offer the broadest portfolio in the industry, with solutions for point-of-use supply, supply chain and warehouse management, and our solutions can integrate with any vendor’s technology.”

The RFID cabinets provide seamless integration with McKesson’s cardiology and surgical management solutions to support low-touch supply chain management coupled with clinical documentation. New capabilities include the ability to track lot numbers, serial numbers and expiration dates, enabling hospital staff to more accurately manage inventory levels and use as well as associated patient charges. The solution also helps improve consignment supply management by enabling staff to track supplies from the point of receipt.

The benefits of the RFID solution align with McKesson’s Better Health 2020 strategy, which focuses on key competencies healthcare providers need as reform unfolds. By streamlining supply chain operations, the new RFID capabilities can help providers improve financial performance and quality, noted Tabel. “Through improved supply chain management and workflow efficiencies, organizations can better maintain their profitability and position themselves for success in an increasingly value-driven healthcare environment.”

McKesson will showcase its latest supply chain management solutions at the upcoming AHRMM conference, July 28-31, in San Diego. To learn more about how McKesson Point of Use Supply and other company offerings can help simplify critical supply chain functions for increased operational efficiency, stop by booth #605 at AHRMM or visit www.mckesson.com/supplychain.

About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.