Integrated Healthcare Distribution Improves
when Sentara Deploys Upp's IRMS Solution

Client Profile:

Sentara Healthcare is one of the most progressive and integrated healthcare organizations in the nation, servicing over 2 million residents in Virginia and North Carolina. Through a network of 100 care giving sites – including seven acute hospitals with 1,728 beds, ten nursing and assisted-living centers and 40 primary care offices – Sentara has consistently ranked among the nation's top 100 integrated healthcare networks.

Meeting the exacting demands of today's healthcare client – while providing critical and timely medical services to over 100 discrete healthcare operations – required seamless integration and an event-driven, centrally managed, scalable and inherently flexible Warehouse Management System.

Solution:

Providing same-day pick, pack and delivery to a campus network of over 100 sites, including emergency care facilities, the IRMS system provides Sentara Healthcare with the functionality to stay ahead of demand. Powerful views provide real-time data over safely secured systems, and ensure the correct inventory is in place when it is needed. Seamless controls provide compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley mandates while allowing logistics personnel to focus on distributing their product. Precision product life cycle management provides SOX-compliant inventory.

Sentara Healthcare deployed IRMS Warehouse Management in central distribution facilities for seamless warehousing, inventory and distribution services. The implementation of IRMS operates on clustered Windows 2003 Server systems. Integration with McKesson Materials Management System allows for seamless tracking of transactions back to procurement and end-user order processes. The implementation effort included project management, business process analysis and mapping, system validation, leading system integration, and test plan execution for systems quality assurance and seamless 24 x 7 support.

Business Value:

The solution has enabled Sentara Healthcare to centralize inventory in order to manage costs while improving efficiency, operational control, visibility and accuracy by leveraging technology and industry best practices.