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May 7, 2018Logistics for Medical Labs
Medical labs have unique needs when it comes to logistics. Shipping for medical labs needs to adhere to more than just ordinary shipping rules, and a shipping partner must have the ability to work in conjunction with specialty courier services. Those courier services that provide lab transportation specialists will normally work locally, but for more long-distance jobs will need to coordinate with a more traditional shipping company. Ideally, they’d be able to work with the logistics management that maintains your supply chain.
Supply Chain Management
Contract logistics support is ideal for this because of its flexibility. Managing lab specimen deliveries is a different job requiring different skills than managing supply chains for medical labs. Being able to do one capably doesn’t mean the other should follow.
It can be more useful to ease the burden on your supply chain management by utilizing contract logistics support. Most medical labs don’t have logistics manager per se. You have transportation specialists for moving equipment locally, and you may utilize the logistics management of an associated hospital. In some cases, this works, but in many cases, it results in regularly wrestling with maintaining a supply chain that keeps you fully stocked.
Safe Equipment Transport
A major need of medical labs is the safe and fast transport of specialized automated equipment. Your diagnostic tools need to be functional and any downtime must be minimized. This requires expedited shipping for medical labs with a focus on cargo safety and handling.
Another need is repair and calibration of this equipment, which can’t always be done on-site. This means shipping it away and back quickly, so it can be repaired or re-calibrated. This requires an experienced logistics manager to ensure the equipment is safe and handled with care en route.
Shipping for medical labs isn’t as simple as shipping for retail, and it shouldn’t be treated in such a routine way. It needs attention and experience in order to minimize the lab’s risk. Your supply chain also can’t fail you – it has to be planned for months out, with shortfall anticipated and accommodated well before the fact. Utilize contract logistics support to achieve these needs.