Principles of supply chain management in the time of crisis.

Hospitals face catastrophic financial challenges in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Acute shortages in materials such as masks, ventilators, intensive care unit capacity, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are a significant concern. The future success of supply chain management involves increasing the transparency of where our raw materials are sourced, diversifying of our product resources, and improving our technology that is able to predict potential shortages. It is also important to develop a proactive budgeting strategy to meet supply demands through early designation of dependable roles to support organizations and through the education of healthcare staff. In this paper, we discuss supply chain management, governance and financing, emergency protocols, including emergency procurement and supply chain, supply chain gaps and how to address them, and the importance of communication in the times of crisis.

La microbiología clínica en el siglo Xxi. Un nuevo escenario / Clinical microbiology in the Xxi century. A new scenario

El gran protagonismo que la microbiología ha alcanzado en la actualidad no ha impedido que nuestra actividad profesional se vea afectada por numerosos problemas. Se discuten las dificultades profesionales de las circunstancias sociales y económicas y que nos inducen a trabajar en un escenario profesional nada favorable. Se consideran las limitaciones económicas que a nuestro trabajo impone la pretensión de ofrecer en sanidad todo gratis a todos, y las soluciones alternativas que de tipo socioeconómico o individual pueden adoptarse. En el aspecto humano el coste de estos cambios es aún mayor en cuanto a la reducción del personal, habiendo pasado por varias fases: concentración del trabajo, reducción del personal y, posiblemente, la externalización del trabajo. Como soluciones se sugieren las acciones que pueden emprenderse para que la función del microbiólogo clínico sea apreciada por los administradores y la sociedad; así, estudios que demuestren los beneficios que reporta nuestro trabajo. Y finalmente cómo reorientar nuestra actividad para garantizar un futuro mejor para la microbiología clínica

The centre-stage position recently reached by Microbiology has not spared our professional activity numerous problems. Professional difficulties imposed by social and economic circumstances are discussed. These circumstances induce our work to take place on a not so favourable stage. Financial limitations imposed on our professional activity by the current trend to provide free healthcare for all are considered; along with the alternatives that could be adopted on a socio-economic or individual basis. On a human level, the cost has been even greater due to the reduction in resources. This process has gone through several phases such as the reduction in staff, with the resulting increase in workload for the remaining team members, possibly leading sub-contracting or outsourcing. Finally, a number of initiatives aimed at increasing the awareness and appreciation of the function of Clinical Microbiologists by both management and society are suggested. Two examples are the compilation of reports on the significance and benefits of our profession, and refocusing our activity ensure a better future for Clinical Microbiology