Supply Chain

The healthcare supply chain is complex. It supports patient care daily by producing and delivering medications as well as products ranging from gloves and gowns to diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and biomedical equipment, to surgical supplies.

Around the world, the healthcare supply chain is confronted with countless challenges every day. During disasters or other events, the healthcare supply chain can experience distinct strains depending on the nature of the event and the impact on surrounding infrastructure.

These documents identify critical supplies required for response to common hazards. Covering medical supplies, supplies for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and pediatric departments, and pharmacy requirements, this resource is designed to serve as a reference for pediatric hospitals in disaster preparedness and readiness efforts. It is not intended to serve as comprehensive critical supply lists for day to day operations.

In 2022, Healthcare Ready, in partnership with Region V for Kids, conducted a supply chain assessment as a follow-up of an assessment conducted in 2020 to evaluate regional supply chain practices amongst pediatric hospitals and health systems within the Region V for Kids consortium. The study sought to identify changes made to supply chain resiliency plans during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations to strengthen supply chain practices.