A multi-period model for the optimization of the products and information flows in a healthcare system

Abstract

A multi-period model to optimize the purchase and schedule logistic activities of a hospital supply chain (SC) with a central pharmacy is presented. This work focuses on the integration of physical and financial flow decisions, considering different types of contracts and financial sources on the supplier selection. The major goal is to obtain the schedule for products replenishment and provide decision support tools for the product and financial management. Besides the classical inventory variables, the model includes discrete decisions to determine the periods in which a supplier delivers an order and the time when each order is emitted. The minimization of the total costs is used as the performance criterion and comprises purchase cost with financial considerations, workforce and holding costs and a shortage penalty cost.