What can happen if a healthcare supply chain is not resilient?

A resilient healthcare supply chain is crucial for maintaining operations during times of disruption, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or other unexpected events. When a supply chain lacks resilience, it means that it is unable to adapt to changes or recover swiftly from interruptions, leading to significant operational issues. The inability to recover from supply disruptions can result in shortages of essential medical supplies, delays in patient care, and ultimately compromise the quality of healthcare services provided.

A resilient supply chain ensures that contingencies are in place, allowing healthcare organizations to respond effectively to challenges without compromising patient care. It involves proactive risk management strategies, diversified supply sources, and the ability to quickly pivot in response to unforeseen events. In contrast, a lack of resilience means that any disruption can lead to a domino effect of failures and delays, which can severely impact the quality of care and patient outcomes.