HOSPITAL LOGISTICS: A CASE STUDY OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN MANAGING LOGISTICS IN THE CLINICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Abstract

This paper describes the logistic processes in the clinical engineering department/CED of a public hospital in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It particularly focuses on a case study to identify limitations and difficulties and propose solutions related to the purchasing, storing, and handling of medical equipment, spare parts and components. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews with the CED manager, direct observation, and document research. The interviews were transcribed and content analyzed. The results show that CED logistic processes experience several problems in the following areas of the hospital: purchase (e.g., delays, untimely tendering process, dysfunctional contracts with suppliers), inventory (poor control of segregated inventory), and handling (e.g., poor control of spares and equipment). Taking into account the manager’s report and the literature, the CED logistic processes should be restructured in order to promote a better integration and synergy among the logistic tasks, and to properly contribute to enhancing the logistic system of the hospital a whole