Intravenous fluid delivery time improvement: application of cross-docking system

Abstract

Purpose The cost of pharmaceutical supply chain due to drug waste is one of the current major issues in health care. Drug waste associated with intravenous (IV) fluid form of medication is one of the crucial issues for many pharmacies. The purpose of this paper is to apply a cross-docking model to minimize the IV delivery lead time to reduce drug waste by scheduling staff in a local hospital’s inpatient pharmacy. Design/methodology/approach A mixed integer linear programming model is applied to the IV delivery system of a hospital. The parameters are selected based on the observations made in the inpatient pharmacy. Findings The result implies that cross-docking approach can be effectively applied to IV delivery system. In fact, the cross-docking optimization model employed in this case study reduces the IV delivery completion time of the inpatient pharmacy by 41 percent. Research limitations/implications The scope of this research is limited to the activities performed after IV preparation. Practical implications The application of cross-docking system in staff scheduling will be beneficial for health care organizations that aim to minimize medication waste. Originality/value The prime value of this study lies in the introduction of a cross-docking concept in an internal hospital ordering process. Cross-docking models are widely used in general supply chain systems; however, their application for specific activities inside hospitals is the novelty of this study, which can fill the research gap in terms of drug waste management within the inpatient pharmacy.

Cross-Docking: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Policy implications relate to the way in which policies may improve various elements of cross-docking, including scheduling, warehousing, and logistics operations, and support the improved distribution of goods. The implementation of an adaptive policy instead of a fixed stock policy, in line with the findings of Khorasani et al [19], is better placed to allow for cost savings in cross-docking situations. Inventory ordering policy, a key opportunity to gain efficiencies in cross-docking [72], suggest that replenishment policies are key to gaining time and cost improvements with cross-docking.…”

“…In 1992, Wal-Mart was the most profitable retailer globally due to applying cross-docking on 85% of its inventory, which also contributed to a 2-3% cost saving [1]. The cross-docking approach is also practised in the pharmaceutical supply chain to manage speed to market and pharma waste through better scheduling and improving medication room response time and eliminating unnecessary activities [19]. Khorasani et al (2018) reported that cross-docking is efficient for moving numerous items within short periods of time [19].…”

“…The cross-docking approach is also practised in the pharmaceutical supply chain to manage speed to market and pharma waste through better scheduling and improving medication room response time and eliminating unnecessary activities [19]. Khorasani et al (2018) reported that cross-docking is efficient for moving numerous items within short periods of time [19]. Cattani, Souza and Ye (2014) suggested applying a cross-docking system at the fulfilment centres for online retailing to reduce the delivery times as well as the shelving and handling expenses, and shipment costs in some cases [20].…”

Truck Scheduling Model in the Cross-docking Terminal by using Multi-agent System and Shortest Remaining Time Algorithm

“…If there does not exist an outbound truck in the outbound door, the product moves from the selected inbound truck to the temporary storage only if its current capacity is still less than its maximum capacity. This mechanism is formalized by using (15). This process is also formalized in algorithm 3.…”