Zollikerberg Hospital wants to optimise supply logistics throughout the entire hospital in the long term and decided to implement AutoInventory as early as 2017
Zollikerberg Hospital wants to optimise supply logistics throughout the entire hospital in the long term and decided to start an initial sub-project in 2017. After an intensive evaluation phase, Wiegand’s automatic logistics solution AutoInventory was selected to optimise the bed ward and the delivery room. The use of the logistics solution should optimise and automate supply logistics in the wards.
The hospital hoped to achieve the following goals by using AutoInventory:
- Relieving the burden on nursing staff: eliminating the need for ordering and logistics work
- Taking over logistical tasks from logistics
- Introducing a supply assistant
- Increasing the quality of stock<
- Reducing stock levels on wards to reduce capital tie-up
In order to achieve these goals, it was decided to proceed in phases. First, private ward 2 was equipped with the AutoInventory logistics solution. This was followed by a stabilisation phase to optimise the supply processes for private ward 2. This phase also served to test the system extensively and at the same time to develop approaches for future standardisation in the set-up of ward storage. After completion of this stabilisation phase, the logistics solution began to be rolled out to the previously defined areas.
Hospital Zollikerberg had to overcome a few challenges to enable standardisation and thus the optimisation of supply logistics. As in most institutions, the hospital has different room layouts for each ward, which had to be taken into account. In addition, each ward has different needs in terms of the range and quantity of materials. Solutions were developed in close collaboration with the head of the wards and the pharmacy.
The project team planned the procedure for implementing the new logistics solution in detail and was aware of the challenges. Despite the different needs, the many people involved and the demands of day-to-day business, the roll-out of AutoInventory to the wards was implemented step by step. It should be emphasised that the roll-out was largely carried out by the hospital itself. The entire setup and commissioning of AutoInventory on the wards was done in-house. Wiegand AG’s role was reduced to helping to set up the first wards and then providing setup support and delivering materials. Of course, Wiegand was always available to help with any questions or problems.
The following advantages were achieved by the project ‘Optimisation of Supply Logistics’ from the point of view of purchasing and logistics at Zollikerberg Hospital:
- Minimisation of the total daily effort for materials management
- Orders are triggered automatically
- No incorrect orders in SAP, no returns
- No e-mail/fax/telephone for orders and express deliveries
- Daily updated inventory
- No more expired materials, very timely consumption
- Standardisation/structuring of the range of items and, if necessary, the storage locations
After the introduction of the AutoInventory logistics solution and a short familiarisation period, the feedback from all departments involved was very positive. On the one hand, the nursing staff are completely freed from all ordering and logistics work. The nursing staff save time and can concentrate on their core competencies again. Patients in particular benefit from this. The standardised wards provide a good overview and the staff appreciate the order very much. The collaboration between nursing staff and the central warehouse works very well at Zollikerberg Hospital and the employees appreciate the exchange with other departments. All of this also makes the nursing profession at Zollikerberg Hospital more attractive and allows the hospital to position itself even better as an employer.
The purchasing department reported that the use of AutoInventory had noticeably reduced the order volume and eliminated returns. The employees in purchasing, as well as in the pharmacy, were specially trained by Wiegand AG to become super users of AutoInventory, so that the hospital has gained additional independence. This further increases efficiency in the hospital.
Today, the bed station and the delivery room are managed with AutoInventory and are looked after exclusively by the logistics assistant from purchasing and the pharmacy. The Zollikerberg Hospital was able to achieve its goals by using AutoInventory and has significantly optimised its supply logistics. The hospital holds regular round table meetings to support the exchange between purchasing, logistics, pharmacy and ward management in order to further improve processes. Together with Wiegand AG, the hospital works closely to further develop and improve the AutoInventory logistics solution and its use in the hospital.
