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Boxed up and locked up, safe and tight! Making the case for unattended electronic locker bank logistics for an innovative solution to NHS hospital supplies (UK)

Authors :
Bailey, Gavin
Cherrett, Tom
Waterson, Ben
Breen, Liz
Long, Robert
Source :
International Journal of Procurement Management; January 2015, Vol. 8 Issue: 1-2 p104-125, 22p
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

The lack of separation between urgent and non-urgent medical goods encourages sub-optimal vehicle fleet operations owing to the time critical nature of urgent items. An unattended electronic locker bank, to which individual urgent items can be delivered thereby separating urgent and non-urgent supply, was proposed for the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, UK. This concept was quantified using ‘basic’ and ‘intuitive’ hill climbing optimisation models; and qualitatively using staff interviews and expert reviews. Results indicated that a locker bank with a fixed height (1.7 m) and depth (0.8 m) required a length of 4 m (basic model) and 3.63 m (intuitive model), to accommodate 100% of urgent consignments for a typical week. Staff interviews indicated the wider benefits such as staff personal deliveries.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17538432 and 17538440
Volume :
8
Issue :
1-2
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
International Journal of Procurement Management
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs34389969
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPM.2015.066290