Mansoor Sheikh, Shahzad Ali Khan, Katrina Aminah Ronis.
Logistics management of public sector hospital laboratories in rawalpindi: a case study approach.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;3(3):26-30.

Background: Supply chains for laboratory supplies do not operate in a vacuum but rather within a larger context of laboratory management and policies of the larger health system. The approach to strengthening supply chains must expand beyond forecasting and quantification, inventory control systems, storage and distribution. Laboratory management, practices and policies have supply chain implications. In most developing countries, such as Pakistan; hospital laboratories serve both a public health and a clinical role. Medical and public health laboratory services are a significant constituent of a country's national health system, as they are fundamental in disease diagnosis, prevention, surveillance, treatment, and outbreak investigations. On the other hand, laboratory services and networks in resource limited countries have been ignored and need to be strengthened to meet the goals of several major global health programs. Method: A multiple case study utilizing mixed methodology approach, facility based study was undertaken in Rawalpindi city . Quantitative component of study was to assess the current logistics management practices for laboratory service / supplies and qualitative component was to explore the future prospects to strengthen the logistics of laboratory supplies. Results:The study showed that current logistics practices have weak supervision, flaws in inventory management, lack of specialized transportation, discrepancies in storage condition and lack of personal protective equipments. Conclusions: Based on research findings the current practices need to be revised and implemented on internationally accepted standards. To ensure the availability of commodities and information flow for evidence based decision by the health managers at facility and national level. The study proposes to improve the laboratory services for effective health care delivery through innovative interventions that are cost effective.

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