Category: Supply Chain

Helium shortage raises concerns around MRIs

A shortage of liquid helium, a nonrenewable element that has been dwindling in supply, is worrying physicians because MRI machines require the ultra-cold material for its magnets, NBC News reported Oct. 22. 

Philips Respironics recalls 1M more sleep masks

Since their September recall of more than 17 million sleep masks, Philips Respironics bumped that number up to 18,670,643 units on Oct. 19. 

A projected recession and 7 more recent supply chain developments(

Here are eight supply chain updates for ASC leaders to know that Becker’s has reported since Oct. 10:

Missouri patient visitation law could cost hospitals $20.9M, mostly for gowns, masks

A Missouri law barring hospitals from limiting patient visits is 11 times more expensive than early projections predicted, and the cost of personal protective equipment is driving the expense, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Oct. 12. 

Experts weigh in on the supply chain’s recovery from Ian and 5 more updates

Here are six supply chain updates for ASC leaders to know that Becker’s has reported since Oct. 3:

Healthcare Supply Chain Association joins drug shortage initiative

The Healthcare Supply Chain Association is joining the End Drug Shortages Alliance, which represents seven group purchasing organizations. 

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian partners with Medline

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, a three-hospital health system based in Newport Beach, Calif., picked Medline as its exclusive medical supply distributor in a partnership valued at $200 million. 

UnitedHealthcare’s updated coverage policy is ‘disappointing,’ devicemaker says

Nevro, a company that sells chronic pain medical devices, called UnitedHealthcare’s newest coverage policy update “disappointing” after the insurance company hinted it wouldn’t cover spinal cord stimulation devices for some people with chronic back pai…

BD recalls sterilization containers over infection risk

BD is recalling 17 types of metal containers that hospitals use when sterilizing surgical tools after learning some may be capable of spreading infectious pathogens, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 7.

With Hurricane Ian, Southeast supply chain 4 to 8 weeks away from recovery

After Hurricane Ian slammed into hospitals and medical supply facilities in the Southeast, it may take one to two months for logistics networks to fully recover from the storm’s wrath, Bloomberg reported Oct. 6.