Prioritizing Social Determinants of Health in Hospital Supply Management: Strategies and Collaboration in the United States

Written By Lauren Davis, BS, CPT

Summary

  • Hospital supply and equipment managers in the United States should prioritize social determinants of health that directly impact patient outcomes.
  • Addressing disparities in access to healthcare, such as geographic location, income level, and Insurance Coverage, is crucial in supply strategy development.
  • Collaboration with Healthcare Providers, community organizations, and government agencies is essential to effectively address social determinants of health in hospital supply management.

Introduction

As healthcare organizations strive to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs, hospital supply and equipment managers play a critical role in developing effective supply strategies. In the United States, where healthcare disparities are prevalent, it is important for managers to prioritize social determinants of health when making supply decisions. By addressing the root causes of health inequalities, supply managers can contribute to better patient care and improved overall health outcomes.

Socioeconomic Status

One of the key social determinants of health that hospital supply and equipment managers should prioritize is socioeconomic status. Individuals with lower income levels often face barriers to accessing healthcare services and may experience poorer health outcomes as a result. When developing supply strategies, managers should consider how to provide affordable and accessible medical supplies and equipment to underserved populations.

Strategies to Address Socioeconomic Status

  1. Offering discounted or subsidized medical supplies for low-income patients
  2. Partnering with community organizations to provide free healthcare screenings and services
  3. Exploring cost-effective supply options without compromising quality

Access to Care

In addition to socioeconomic status, access to care is another important social determinant that supply managers should prioritize. Geographic location, transportation barriers, and Insurance Coverage can all impact an individual's ability to seek timely and appropriate healthcare services. Supply managers must ensure that medical supplies and equipment are readily available to all patients, regardless of their location or insurance status.

Strategies to Improve Access to Care

  1. Establishing satellite supply centers in underserved communities
  2. Utilizing telemedicine technologies to reach patients in remote areas
  3. Collaborating with insurers to expand coverage for essential medical supplies

Health Literacy

Health literacy, or the ability to understand and act upon health information, is another social determinant that can impact patient outcomes. Patients with limited health literacy may struggle to adhere to treatment plans or properly use medical supplies, leading to suboptimal health outcomes. Supply managers should consider ways to educate patients on the proper use and maintenance of medical supplies to improve health literacy.

Strategies to Address Health Literacy

  1. Providing clear and concise instructions for using medical supplies
  2. Offering patient education workshops on self-care and disease management
  3. Collaborating with Healthcare Providers to reinforce patient education messages

Conclusion

Effective hospital supply and equipment management requires a holistic approach that takes into account the social determinants of health. By prioritizing factors such as socioeconomic status, access to care, and health literacy, supply managers can play a key role in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities. Collaboration with Healthcare Providers, community organizations, and government agencies is essential to address these social determinants and develop supply strategies that meet the diverse needs of patients across the United States.

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Lauren Davis, BS, CPT

Lauren Davis is a certified phlebotomist with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Miami. With 5 years of hands-on experience in both hospital and mobile phlebotomy settings, Lauren has developed a passion for ensuring the safety and comfort of patients during blood draws. She has extensive experience in pediatric, geriatric, and inpatient phlebotomy, and is committed to advancing the practices of blood collection to improve both accuracy and patient satisfaction.

Lauren enjoys writing about the latest phlebotomy techniques, patient communication, and the importance of adhering to best practices in laboratory safety. She is also an advocate for continuing education in the field and frequently conducts workshops to help other phlebotomists stay updated with industry standards.

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