Supply Chain/ Logistics

Discover how healthcare shipping software can streamline processes, ensure timely deliveries & significantly reduce costs. Learn how ProShip can help!

The healthcare industry faces unique challenges in its supply chain, particularly when it comes to shipping medical supplies and equipment. The global healthcare logistics market is expected to reach $158.5 Billion by 2030, reflecting the increasing reliance on efficient shipping for critical medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and patient samples.

Yet, healthcare systems are also facing immense pressure to control costs. A 2023 report by the American Hospital Association found that U.S. hospitals face average annual expense growth of 5.4%. In this environment, controlling costs associated with shipping medical supplies and equipment becomes increasingly important.

Despite the challenges, the healthcare industry will continue to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for key stakeholders. Timely delivery of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other healthcare equipment remains crucial for patient care, and customer service is paramount in ensuring a positive patient experience. [What’s the healthcare industry outlook?]

However, traditional shipping methods can be time-consuming, prone to errors, and lead to high shipping costs. This is where healthcare organizations turn to advanced supply chain technology like multi-carrier shipping software: a solution that streamlines processes, ensures timely deliveries, and achieves significant cost savings.

Streamlined Shipping Processes

Traditional shipping methods often rely on manual data entry and separate workflows for address verification, leading to a time-consuming and error-prone process. Here's how shipping software for the healthcare industry steps in to streamline these processes:

Automation Powerhouse

Shipping software automates tedious tasks, freeing up valuable staff time for more critical activities. This includes automated order fulfillment based on pre-defined business rules, eliminating manual order entry and reducing the risk of errors.

Seamless Integration

Modern healthcare shipping software integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise software stacks (ESS) including healthcare-specific information systems such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This eliminates the need for manual data transfer and ensures accurate and efficient data flow throughout the shipping process. For instance, patient information and order details can be automatically retrieved from the EHR, populating shipping labels and streamlining order fulfillment.

Route Optimization

Many healthcare shipping software solutions offer route optimization features. This functionality analyzes factors like traffic patterns, weather conditions, and carrier performance to determine the most efficient delivery routes. This can significantly reduce delivery times and ensure customers receive critical medical supplies promptly. [Discover how ProShip’s ADS extends beyond just shipping cost to fine tune which carrier service you should use.]

By automating tasks, integrating with existing systems, and optimizing delivery routes, multi-carrier shipping solutions streamline workflows, save valuable time, and minimize errors in the shipping process. This translates into improved efficiency and allows healthcare organizations to focus on other priorities, like the customer experience (CX).

Reduced Shipping Costs

Traditional shipping methods often lock healthcare organizations into using a single carrier, limiting their ability to negotiate competitive rates and manage capacity. Additionally, manual processes can lead to inaccurate package dimensions and Dim Weight (dimensional weight) calculations, resulting in unnecessary overcharges. Shipping software tackles these challenges head-on, unlocking significant cost savings:

Multi-Carrier Powerhouse

Multi-carrier shipping software (it’s in the name!) empowers organizations to leverage the power of volume and mitigate capacity concerns. By consolidating shipping needs across various carriers, these robust platforms help healthcare companies negotiate discounted rates and secure more favorable contract terms. This allows healthcare facilities to choose the most cost-effective carrier for each shipment, depending on factors like weight, destination, delivery speed requirements and carrier capacity (and don’t worry, via business rules, the software knows what volume tiers you must hit for discounts and what capacities you can’t exceed).

During peak shipping times or for specific shipment types, some carriers may be overloaded. Multi-carrier software allows healthcare organizations to diversify and rationalize their carrier network and avoid potential delays due to capacity limitations at a single carrier.

→ Pro Tip: This is where partnering with a multi-carrier shipping software solution that has a broad carrier library [including healthcare specific services like UPS Premier] truly matters – think shorter carrier onboarding cycles and lower services costs!

Dim Weight Optimization

Many healthcare items are bulky and lightweight, leading to potential overcharges based on Dim Weight calculations used by carriers. Dim Weight considers both the actual weight and package dimensions and can significantly inflate shipping costs if not optimized.

Many leading shipping software solutions partner with cartonization experts to optimize packaging and Dim Weight calculations, offering total control over how parcel shipments are packed. These features ensure items are shipped in the most space-efficient way possible, minimizing Dim Weight costs and maximizing savings.

Pre-Configured Shipping Rules and Cost Comparison Tools

Streamlined shipping software allows healthcare organizations to establish pre-configured shipping business rules. These rules can specify factors like carrier selection based on cost or delivery speed for different types of shipments (e.g., urgent shipments vs. routine supplies). Additionally, leading solutions offer advanced cost tools that provide real-time comparisons of rates from various carriers for each shipment, all behind the scenes. This empowers staff to focus on the packing and presentation of items and avoid having to physically choose the most cost-effective shipping option for each order.

By leveraging multi-carrier parcel shipping capabilities, optimizing Dim Weight calculations, and implementing pre-configured shipping business rules, shipping software helps organizations achieve substantial cost savings on their healthcare supply chain expenditures. This translates into a healthy financial return and allows healthcare facilities to allocate resources more effectively towards CX initiatives.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

In today's healthcare landscape, delivering an exceptional customer experience goes beyond just the basics. Timely delivery is crucial, and efficient communication throughout the shipping process fosters a positive experience.

By streamlining workflows, optimizing routes, and ensuring accurate package information, shipping software contributes to on-time deliveries for healthcare organizations. This is particularly important for critical pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, or other equipment needed for time-sensitive situations. Consistent on-time deliveries build trust and reinforce the reliability of the healthcare organization, leading to increased customer satisfaction. [Explore more about cultivating a top-notch healthcare customer experience.]

Improved customer satisfaction goes beyond the immediate benefits for current customers. Positive experiences can lead to increased loyalty and better online reviews, ultimately contributing to the overall reputation of the healthcare organization. This positive reputation can attract new customers and strengthen the healthcare organization's position in the competitive healthcare landscape.

Key Considerations for Healthcare Shipping Software

Selecting the right shipping software for the healthcare industry requires careful consideration of several factors.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects to evaluate:

General Healthcare Shipping Regulations: Ensure the parcel shipping software adheres to all relevant shipping regulations. This includes regulations governing the transport of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and patient samples. If you aren’t able to research and understand the specific regulations that apply to your organization yourself, partner with a dangerous goods expert who can.

FDA Validation: For certain medical devices and equipment, strict FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations may apply. Consider whether the shipping software offers features for FDA validated shipping, which ensures documented evidence that shipping processes consistently meet predetermined quality and compliance standards.

Scalability: Choose a multi-carrier shipping solution that can adapt to your healthcare organization's growing needs. As your business expands, your shipping software should be able to scale to accommodate increased shipping volume and changing requirements. [What are some clues that it may be time to move on?]

Seamless Integration: Seamless integration with existing systems is crucial for efficient workflows. Look for shipping software that integrates effortlessly to eliminate manual data entry and ensure accurate information flow. [See how the top shipping software works]

Dangerous Goods Compliance: Healthcare facilities may need to ship dangerous goods, such as medical device lithium batteries. The multi-carrier shipping software should assist with proper classification, labeling, and documentation to ensure compliance with dangerous goods regulations and avoid delays or fines during transport.

ProShip: Your Partner in Streamlined Healthcare Shipping

The challenges of healthcare shipping demand a robust and reliable solution. ProShip's multi-carrier shipping software offers a comprehensive suite of features specifically designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare organizations.

Here's what sets ProShip apart:

Streamlined Workflow Efficiencies: ProShip automates tedious tasks, integrates seamlessly with existing software systems, and optimizes delivery routes, significantly reducing administrative burdens and saving valuable time for your staff.

Compliance Expertise: ProShip offers an integrated add-on for Labelmaster, the leading provider of products, services and technology for the safe and compliant transport of dangerous goods and hazardous materials. Keeping your organization up-to-date on the latest healthcare shipping regulations, including those for general shipments, pharmaceuticals, and FDA validated shipping. ProShip shipping software empowers you to navigate complex compliance requirements with confidence.

Scalability and Flexibility: ProShip is designed to scale alongside your growing healthcare organization. Our solution adapts to increasing shipping volume and evolving needs, maintaining lightning-fast speed while providing a long-term investment for your shipping operations. This is why we can call ourselves the last shipping software you’ll ever need.

Cost Savings: ProShip's multi-carrier shipping capabilities unlock significant cost savings through volume discounts and pre-configured business rules. These features translate into a bolstered bottom line, allowing you to allocate resources more effectively towards the customer experience.

Versionless Architecture: ProShip leverages a modern, versionless architecture. This approach minimizes the risk associated with software updates. New features and compliance updates are delivered seamlessly in the background, ensuring you always have access to the latest functionalities and adhere to the most recent regulations. This translates to minimal to no downtime for your shipping operations.

Ready to transform your healthcare shipping?

By partnering with ProShip, you gain a reliable and trusted partner committed to helping you navigate the complexities of healthcare shipping. Contact ProShip today to schedule a discovery call and find out how our stable, robust shipping software can streamline processes, ensure compliance, and enhance the customer experience within your healthcare organization.