Framework for establishing asset visibility and traceability of medical devices

Abstract

As support grows for price transparency and universal healthcare, pressure rises on the American healthcare system to administer better care at lower prices. Within this broad goal, many healthcare providers and medical device suppliers seek technological and operational improvements to their management of reusable and implantable medical devices. Medical devices are the tools and implants used by surgeons and hospital staff to diagnose and treat patients. After years of high profit margins, many inefficient processes have developed within the medical device supply chain obscuring instrument location and use from all members of the industry. The limited visibility of these devices engenders problems including avoidable surgical infections, unnecessary logistic expenses, and waste in tool sterilization processes. To find a solution for the industry at-large, this thesis analyzes device management programs and technologies undertaken by different manufacturers and hospitals. Through industry expert and stakeholder interviews and a review of news articles and research literature, this thesis assesses the technological requirements, and it recommends an architecture for an effective asset visibility and traceability solution to medical device management in the US.