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AHRQ Issues Report on Health Care Supply Chain Disruption Monitoring Programs
Per the notice below, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued a report on the effectiveness of health care supply chain disruption monitoring programs.
Supply Chain Disruption Monitoring Programs
Structured Abstract
Objectives. To summarize recent relevant literature on supply chain disruption monitoring programs in healthcare settings and assess the effectiveness of these programs to improve safety. This review provides information for clinicians, health system leaders, policymakers, and researchers to better inform approaches to implementing supply chain disruption monitoring programs.
Methods. We followed rapid review processes provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Evidence-based Practice Center Program. We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for eligible studies published in 2010 through April 11, 2024, supplemented by targeted gray literature searches and review of reference lists in relevant systematic reviews.
Findings. Our searches identified 1,758 unique citations; we assessed 127 full-text articles using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. No studies met our inclusion criteria for our question on effectiveness. Seven studies detailed implementation facilitators, barriers, and/or resource requirements. Facilitators included effective communication, dedicated development time, using existing infrastructure, and existing relationships with wholesalers and suppliers. Barriers included substantial upfront financial costs and staff time, disjointed communication, multiple data sources, and data coding errors. Resources included upfront monetary investment, staff time, technology, and health information technology expertise.
Conclusions. Despite a growing interest in supply chain monitoring programs and a demonstrated need highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no evidence on the effectiveness of these programs related to patient safety, supply access, or supply availability. Future research is needed to assess the effectiveness of relevant interventions and unintended harms.
This evidence review was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under contract no. 75Q80120D00003.
Wagner J, Koepfler L, Treadwell JR. Supply Chain Disruption Monitoring Programs. Making Healthcare Safer IV. (Prepared by the ECRI-Penn Medicine Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 75Q80120D00003). AHRQ Publication No. 25-EHC008-4. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. April 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPC_MHS4SUPPLY. Posted final reports are located on the Effective Health Care Program search page.
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