Healthcare Supply Chain optimization: a comparison between two Rfid-based reengineered processes

This paper is framed in a project which aims to study innovative RFID-based management systems to optimize logistics in an Italian Blood Transfusion Centre. The paper is a summary of a PhD Thesis and it aims to describe and to compare two kinds of process analysis and reengineering that were performed in two main steps, the first one in 2010 and the second one in 2013. Analysis methodology envisage the analysis of processes by using several analytical tools: reports, flow charts, activity forms, Idef0 language. A Clinical Risk analysis was carried out, in order to highlight criticalities related to efficiency and effectiveness (patient safety), and to quantitatively classify them. Particularly, FMECA method was carried out. The analysis was followed by a RFID-based process reengineering. This step, which aimed to minimize the critical issues impact, led to the drafting of innovative design models. Key Performances Indicators (KPI) were designed and calculated for the studied models in order to validate and to compare them. In this paper, 2010 and 2013 analysis and synthesis are both described and compared, focusing on the 2013 project model. In particular, a performance analysis comparison between the 2010 and 2013 project models was performed in order to highlight the influence of the technologic infrastructure status in RFIDbased process design. The paper also describes experimental tests of UHF RFID systems, which are not considered as the standard RFID system in blood transfusion applications. The paper also treats a critical feature of Sardinia Blood Transfusion Service: the optimization of logistic processes in the AOB Blood Transfusion Centre subdepartment which is dedicated to blood assignment for Thalassemia-affected patients.