Reliability of internal logistics distribution in a hospital
ISSN: 1754-2731
Article publication date: 1 September 2020
Issue publication date: 27 April 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of the research is to propose a method to assess the reliability of hospitals' internal logistics distribution.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured methodology was defined in five stages: (1) data collection and current state mapping; (2) future state design; (3) identification of the uncertainties and sources of variation; (4) reliability analysis of the proposed future state and (5) identification and prioritization of improvements.
Findings
Results show shortcomings of the future state design and propose solutions to obtain a state that is more realistic and possible to perform. Subsequently, the feasibility of these improvements was analysed in order to be implemented in a real context, searching and identifying different uncertainty sources occurring inside the system.
Originality/value
Studies that have addressed hospital's internal logistics are scarce. Such gap highlights the need for this research developments that address the reliability enhancement in hospitals internal logistics.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação > Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Edital Universal 2016.
Citation
Tortorella, G., Moliner Farjas, G. and Li, W. (2021), "Reliability of internal logistics distribution in a hospital", The TQM Journal, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 596-617. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-03-2020-0056
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited