Factors Influencing Hospital Supply Chain Resilience (A Qualitative Study)

Background: The complexity and intensity of environmental fluctuations combined with unexpected accidents and dangers have increased the probability of hospital supply chain disruptions. Supply chain resilience has been suggested as a strategy for dealing with such challenges and for continued provision of appropriate and efficient services in hospital at the time of disaster. The present study intends to identify the factors influencing hospital supply chain resilience. Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was based on the content analysis of semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in the university hospitals in Bandar Abbas in 2018. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The interviews continued until data saturation was reached. The obtained data from interviews were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA Software. Results: After analyzing the data, the factors influencing hospital supply chain resilience were identified and classified into six main components and 30 themes. The main components included: staffs’ attendance, suitability, infrastructures safety, disaster management, support and capacity systems, and external factors. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that staff training, disaster management planning, command system, and surge capacity are the key factors influencing hospital supply chain resilience. Therefore, they should be taken into consideration while planning to promote hospital supply chain resilience.