In the healthcare supply chain, receiving can be one of the most time consuming tasks. With massive shipments arriving multiple times per day, it is imperative that receiving is as simple and pain-free as possible. That's why we developed an easier way for hospitals to receive: Multi-Line Receiving for Oracle healthcare.
Multi-line Receiving (MLR) is a deviation from the way inventory is typically received in the healthcare supply chain. It provides a quick and easy way to look at an entire order of goods, identify exactly what you have, and receive it in as little time as possible. Inspired by an RF-SMART for Oracle Cloud customer, MLR was designed as a function that would be intuitive and simple, allowing users to receive as efficiently as possible in order to provide the highest level of patient care.
In the healthcare space, it's very common to have Purchase Orders with hundreds of lines arriving daily from key vendors and distributors. Oftentimes we see this process around exception-based receiving. Typically, these truckloads of goods hold many of the same item. MLR is a faster and simpler way to receive than typical receiving. Overall, Multi-Line Receiving allows RF-SMART users the ability to receive by exception - and it's created a tremendous amount of efficiency for our customers.
Here are some of the benefits of Multi-Line Receiving:
Keep Reading: Multi-Line Inventory Receiving in Oracle Cloud SCM
There is a significant difference between how the healthcare supply chain operates and traditional distribution. The reality is that mistakes that happen the healthcare environment impact patient care. We've put together some best practices for using MLR:
Work with Suppliers You Trust
The key to Multi-Line Receiving is trust. If you have good relationships with your suppliers, then you know you can work with those suppliers to provide Advanced Shipping Notices (ASN) that can help make your receiving that much more efficient.
Advanced Shipping Notices
There is a great opportunity to increase efficiency by using an ASN. An ASN is a notice that comes from your supplier that lets you know when a shipment is about to head your way. Within Oracle Cloud, there are two options for ASNs:
Full Visibility from Start to Finish
One way to maximize efficiency with Multi-Line Receiving is to integrate it with RF-SMART's Delivery functionality. Delivery gives you the ability to capture pictures of the items, packing slips, and tracking numbers. Delivery is especially relevant in a hospital setting, where smaller deliveries may be received at the dock. The UPS tracking number that comes with a parcel will stop tracking at the dock door. With Delivery, the supply chain team can see the entire lifecycle of the package and ensure that it is delivered to the right person or location.
CentraCare, one of the largest healthcare systems in Minnesota, uses RF-SMART for receiving, dock logging, picking, replenishment of PAR locations and delivery. Multi-Line Receiving has increased the number of products they are able to receive, increasing efficiency. They also chose to integrate their receiving with Delivery. “RF-SMART Delivery functionality gives us end-to-end chain of custody tracking,” said Ross Gunderson, Director of Support Services. From the handheld devices, CentraCare employees can look up items, search quantities on hand and find bin locations, saving time.
For more than 40 years, Oracle has helped organizations around the world securely manage data and solve inventory challenges. Materials Management in healthcare has been a long-standing concern as it is critical to delivering care to patients. Due to our longstanding relationship with Oracle and more than 40 years of industry experience, RF-SMART is able to help healthcare providers increase visibility into product location, materials movement and employee-related activities throughout a hospital or facility. We ensure your inventory levels are stocked at ideal PAR quantities and we help you keep track of packages from receipt to final delivery.
Want to learn more about how Multi-Line Receiving can make your hospital more efficient? Listen to the podcast episode, The Most Efficient Way to Receive Inventory:
