Title: Performance analysis of a healthcare supply chain for RFID-enabled process reengineering

Authors: Gianluca Borelli; Pier Francesco Orrù; Francesco Zedda

Addresses: AOB Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Piazza Ricchi 1, 09121, Cagliari, Italy ' Department of Mechanic Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123, Cagliari, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale Ingegneria e Scienze Ambientali, University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124, Cagliari, Italy ' Department of Mechanic Engineering, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123, Cagliari, Italy

Abstract: This study is part of a project which aims to study innovative RFID-based management systems, to optimise logistics in a blood transfusion centre (BTC). In 2009, an analysis of transfusion processes (AS IS 2009) and criticalities was carried out and a RFID-based process reengineering was performed (TO BE 2009). After several technical and management changes in BTC, a further process analysis was carried out and a new model (AS IS 2013) was implemented. The aim of the study is to evaluate efficiency and safety levels of BTC at present, and to compare the models using a coherent methodological approach. A failure modes, effects and criticalities analysis (FMECA) was carried out, in order to highlight criticalities related to patient safety and ad hoc key performance indicators (KPI) were designed and calculated for the two as is models. This paper describes a significant step prior to the design of UHF RFID systems.

Keywords: radio frequency identification; RFID; UHF; reverse engineering; process FMECA; transfusion medicine; SCM; supply chain management; healthcare supply chains; hospitals; health sector; healthcare industry; procurement management; process reengineering; blood transfusion centres; AS IS 2013; patient safety; KPIs; key performance indicators; performance evaluation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2015.066293

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2015 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.169 - 181

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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