Benchmarking of health technologies distribution models: An investigation of Lombardy’s local health authorities
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking framework for assessing the performance of the distribution models adopted by the local branches of National Health Services (NHSs) for delivering health technologies to patients at a local level, and to derive prescriptions for enhancing design and optimal management of the distribution models.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors focussed the study on the distribution of absorbent devices for incontinence, adopting the analytic hierarchy process as a tool for developing the benchmarking framework. The authors applied the framework to the context of the Italian NHS with respect to the Lombard Local Health Authorities, assessing their performance in terms of operational efficiency and service quality.
Findings
The developed framework constitutes a novel contribution, and it allows for generating prescriptions. Through its application to the context studied the authors found that a “one-size-fits-all” distribution model cannot be proposed, as regards both efficiency and effectiveness, since process standardization does not provide benefits or savings in all contexts. Rather, a total landed cost approach in the evaluation of the distribution practices must be adopted.
Practical implications
This paper offers to managers and decision makers an innovative approach to the design of distribution models for health technologies. It provides policy makers with prescriptions to develop regulations fostering a comprehensive view of the factors for an optimal health technologies distribution at a local level.
Originality/value
Given the dearth of scientific publications focussed on the distribution at the local level of health technologies, this paper significantly contributes to the existing body of knowledge and it offers an innovative framework which can be proficiently replicated in manifold contexts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The financial support for this study was provided by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research within the program of scientific research of national interest: “Modelling, simulation and testing of innovative logistics networks for drugs management in health care.”
Citation
Creazza, A., Restelli, U., Porazzi, E., Garagiola, E.R., Croce, D., Arpesella, M., Dallari, F. and Noè, C. (2016), "Benchmarking of health technologies distribution models: An investigation of Lombardy’s local health authorities", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 817-842. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-12-2013-0123
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited