The hospital and healthcare industry depends on professionally trained couriers to make time-sensitive deliveries. Couriers play a crucial role when it comes to transporting time-sensitive lab specimens, paperwork, pharmaceuticals, and supplies to reference labs, pharmacies, hospitals, and other medical facilities. It’s estimated that the medical courier market will reach a market size of $7.1 billion by 2027.
The medical courier and logistics industry has seen a meteoric rise over years due to the rapid growth in the biotech and pharmaceutical segment. In addition, the market has been fueled by the growing adoption of technology and cloud assistance which allows for better geographic reach in a cost-efficient manner. Also, a substantial increase in the geriatric population and the dependence on telemedicine deliveries along with tech-delivery partnerships to fulfill supply chain challenges are some of the key factors driving the Medical Courier Industry forward in the projected period of 2022-2027.
Courier services in the medical industry is no longer just a van or car picking up and delivering specimens. The service has evolved over years. The medical courier field is now more focused on adhering to the latest technology to improve the quality and level of services. There are varieties of new trends developing in the courier industry that are expected to create more effectiveness and efficiency in the future. Here are a few trends in the medical courier and logistics industry:
Medical Courier/Logistics Management Software
Technology has a big impact on the courier and logistics industry, as with other segments in business. GPS tracking, for instance, is one of the most evolving and critical trends in the industry that’s on the rise. This technology allows medical facilities to track the location and the time of their specimen deliveries in real time.
GPS tracking technology enables the courier service to choose the most efficient, fastest, and safest route to their destination. It has improved delivery time and reduced fuel costs. Using this efficient tracking tool is a great way to eliminate the risk of missing specimens, reduce overall costs, and track deliveries without much effort.
Mobile phones and communication devices have also played an important role in leveraging new courier technology. Labs can optimize routes, track specimen, communicate features, and generate reports. This technology can help labs improve client satisfaction while decreasing the cost associated with transporting specimens.
Medical Drones
Drones aren’t just for capturing photos. It is especially true if they are used in the medical courier and logistics industry. Though drone technology isn’t widely used in the realm of medical courier, it has gained popularity in the food and package delivery industry.
While it is still uncertain whether using drones is a viable option to deliver patient sensitive information, they can be used in various practical areas. For instance, these are some possibilities within the healthcare industry where drone technology can help.
- Medical supply delivery
- Water and food supplies delivery to storm ravaged areas
- Emergency medical technicians supplies delivery
- Automated defibrillator to heart patients
In the cases of viral breakouts, medical facilities can use drones to retrieve the specimens of patients without visiting the infected regions.
RFID (radio-frequency identification) Temperature Tracking
Oftentimes, keeping the temperature of the specimen optimal until it reaches the lab is a challenge for a courier service. The good news is, maintaining temperature of the specimens is no longer a concern. RFID technology can be used to ensure that products are transported safely and the temperature data collected in an automated and efficient manner. A courier service can track the ideal temperature range when specimen leaves the site to its arrival at the laboratory for test.
The courier service attaches a RFID tag to the specimen. It can program the temperature range into the tag, in case the specimen goes below or above the set range. It helps lab technicians determine the integrity of the specimen upon arrival. In addition, it reduces the time that might be wasted in analyzing specimens that are no longer in the necessary condition for testing. The technology is also great to streamline product and inventory management with RFID lot labels on collection kits of specimens and marketing materials.
Training Programs for Medical Courier Workforce
If you think training of medical couriers/logistics isn’t in-depth or useful, you’re mistaken. Individuals responsible for transporting specimens receive specimen integrity and handling, spill and leak compliance, exposure control and DOT training.
Because employees and courier vendor services handle sensitive data, logistics and medical courier companies are highly focused on continuous training on properly transporting specimens and highly sensitive materials that can affect the specimen or product’s integrity.
Same Day Delivery
A quality medical courier service company such as OMG Onsite Management Group offers same day shipping. It has become a necessity in the field, as pharmaceuticals or medical equipment can become unusable if housed too long in a vehicle. Every minute makes a difference when it comes to sensitive materials, especially ones that can degrade like medical specimens. Patients trust in a medical courier delivery system that keeps their best interests in mind.
In Summary
Quality, cost-effective courier services can help lower costs. They can be key to the success of laboratories, hospitals, and medical offices. Organizations that are experts in transportation constantly review routes and make necessary process improvements to enhance efficiency and lower costs. It takes a combination of high-tech services along with a commitment to customer service to deliver improved results. On-demand services eliminate the need for healthcare companies to maintain vehicles and staff to make deliveries.
Medical courier logistics companies are looking at ways that can help them improve their delivery efficiency and specimen integrity. Whether your organization maintains its own courier program or outsources it to a third party, good courier practices should be established, and performance should be monitored on a routine basis.
When you utilize a courier service, you’re getting a team of professionals whose job it is to deliver according to your expectations. OMG’s focus is to be an extension of your organization serving your customers, clients, and patients. If you would like to learn more about how OMG’s courier/logistics services could help your organization, please email us.
If you don’t wish to email, feel free to contact us here.
