A generic framework for hospital supply chain

Abstract

This paper seeks to develop a generic framework for the hospital supply chain in order to describe this complex environment through a holistic and inductive approach. Developed using the grounded theory concept, the framework aims to describe both patient and material flow in the hospital. A three-level structured model is presented in this article where we identified first the most valued activities in the chain from both patient and hospital’s staff perspectives. Second, we proposed some best practices to overcome the most common bottlenecks in the chain. Finally, interactions between the processes are identified and the sequence is defined to help both professionals and researchers conduct further studies in the healthcare sector.