Supply Chain

Medical product distribution company Cardinal Health has recently been named one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S. by revenue, bringing in $216.2 billion over the most recent four quarters. 

In 2021, medical devicemaker Philips recalled 3.5 million ventilation devices after finding a defect that could cause cancer. 

Although expense management is always something leaders consider when managing ASCs, in recent years cutting costs has become even more important to grapple with ongoing supply disruptions, increasing costs of supplies and labor and decreasing reimbursements.

The Surgery Center of Fort Wayne (Ind.) has tapped medical supplier Medline as its prime vendor as part of a new, multiyear partnership. 

Ongoing economic struggles have forced ASCs to update their strategy — or in some cases, face potential closure. 

Geopolitical events have had major impacts on the U.S. medical supply chain in 2023 and promise to continue doing so in 2024, according to a Jan. 23 blog post from major supplier Premier. 

The American Red Cross said the U.S. is experiencing an "emergency" blood shortage as the number of donors has hit a 20-year low.

Large drugmakers including Pfizer and Takeda Pharmaceuticals plan to raise prices of more than 500 prescription drugs this month, according to research cited by Reuters.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, practices have faced a myriad of supply challenges, from rising costs to persistent shortages. 

A number of medical suppliers have been caught in fraud and kickback schemes this year, including Medtronic and Beach medical Suppliers.