Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust Case Study

Challenge
Streamline the Orthopedic Department to reduce waste

Solution
Intelligent Stock Control

Savings
3% decrease in purchase costs on an original £3.8m annual spend within orthopedic hips and knees

Background
Cardiff and Vale is among the largest trusts in the UK, employing more than 13,000 staff and serving half a million people. It is a National Centre of Excellence for orthopedics, with nine specialist theatres.

The task
The orthopedic team recognized that keeping track of their inventory using existing systems was becoming unmanageable. Trust Head of Procurement, Larry Petterson, believed 50% of stock was obsolete or at risk within the trust. He began looking for an intelligent stock control system offering enhanced management data, greater transparency and better cost analysis features.

The result
The answer was to implement MedTrac in support of NHS Supply Chain's orthopedic contracts system. This allows the efficient control of medical supplies and the tracking of product consumption by patient, procedure and doctor.

"As a trust we believe in an innovative approach to problem solving; our partnership with NHS Supply Chain and use of MedTrac has allowed us to reduce waste and inefficiency, and enhance our stock management systems at a stroke. The benefits in improved patient care, reduced clinical staff workload, and enhanced cash flow are already becoming evident."
Larry Petterson, Head of Procurement Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust

Financial and systemic benefits

  • 3% cut in purchase costs on an original £3.8m annual spend within orthopedic hips and knees
  • Improved cash flow from more accurate stock control data and stock profiling
  • Ability to capture accurate consumable cost per patient providing for improved forward planning and budgeting
  • Improved accountability reduces stock loss and duplication
  • Better management data means more informed decision making
  • Swift identification of obsolete, never used and unnecessary stock items, brings savings and cash flow improvements

Process and clinical benefits

  • MedTrac automatically ensures lot level tracking to patients which supports National Joint Register requirements and speedy processing in the event of recalls
  • Less storage space is needed
  • Ability to speedily identify obsolete, 'never used' and unnecessary stock items, realizing significant savings and cash flow improvements
  • More joined-up approach to the trust procurement function
  • Less staff time spent in procurement process - more time for patient care
  • Confidence that essential supplies will be available when needed