DeliverEASE is on the move … to Wyong Hospital
Date published: 11 Nov 2022
Author: Celia Pozzecco
The DeliverEASE team is continuing its medical consumables transformation project across NSW Health, with Wyong Hospital selected as the first location in the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD).
Over the coming four months, approximately 60 medical consumables storerooms at Wyong Hospital will be upgraded to the DeliverEASE model to deliver improved inventory visibility and management controls for hospital staff.
To launch the project’s arrival, HealthShare NSW held an information session and Q&A at Wyong Hospital to provide an overview of the DeliverEASE model – what it is, how it works, and how it helps staff manage medical consumables stock across the supply chain beginning with ordering, through to receipt of goods, and storeroom controls.
New technology gives greater visibility
DeliverEASE also incorporates an easy-to-use scanner tool – the StaffLink Requisitions and Receiving Mobile Application, or STARR app – for ordering and receiving stock; plus, a dashboard of digital tools for easy analysis and report generation.
Marilyn Cochrane, Manager Clinical Products and Distribution at CCLHD said while Wyong Hospital currently has a good inventory system in place, she believes that the new technology used by DeliverEASE will help streamline the inventory process from the dock, through to the ward, and it will also help staff gauge stock consumption and spend.
“Upgrading the storerooms will be great because some storerooms need attention and having the new shelving and the new system in place will be a real improvement,” said Marilyn.
“I think the visibility that the dashboard provides will help because the clinical products team often receive enquiries when staff run out of a product. With this new system, they will be able to assess and manage the process themselves.”
The project has been successful in other LHDs
To date, DeliverEASE has been successfully rolled out across South Eastern Sydney LHD (SESLHD) and is currently being implemented in Northern Sydney LHD (NSLHD), Sydney LHD (SLHD), Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD (ISLHD) and Nepean Blue Mountains LHD (NBMLHD).
The DeliverEASE project is just one part of broader Procurement Reform across NSW Health, which was launched due to supply challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 health response.
How does the DeliverEASE transformation process work?
The process begins with a visit from the DeliverEASE team who work with hospital staff to gauge inventory issues and challenges across each ward. A full review of stock levels and systems is performed, and a customised solution created using the DeliverEASE principles.
If required, new shelving is installed, storerooms are re-organised and sorted into colour-coded categories that are consistent across NSW Health. Product barcodes are used to identify items and staff receive training in use of the system, plus the STARR app, which allows the use of smart devices to scan that creates an Imprest requisition almost immediately.
Designated staff will also receive training on using DeliverEASE dashboard tools to perform stock analysis and monitor adherence to the DeliverEASE principles. The dashboards are easily accessed via StaffLink.
Image: Attendees at the Wyong Hospital DeliverEASE town hall meeting included (L-R) Tim Ross, Operations and Process Manager, DeliverEASE; Natalie Kelly, Nurse (Perioperative), CCLHD; Brian Wyborn, Supply and Distribution Officer, CCLHD; Justine Pymble, Manager – Supply and Distribution, CCLHD; Marilyn Cochrane, Manager Clinical Products and Distribution, CCLHD; Ryan Beatty, Relay Coordinator, DeliverEASE.
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