Implementation of a Digital SPD Logistics Model in a Stomatology Department: A Quasi-experimental Study

Summary

This study describes the implementation and evaluation of a hospital-operated Supply–Processing–Distribution (SPD) logistics model for medical consumables management in a stomatology department. The integrated SPD workflow improved consumable traceability, inventory governance, delivery efficiency, workload management, and operational standardization through barcode-enabled digital logistics coordination.

Abstract

Efficient management of medical consumables is essential for maintaining patient safety, workflow efficiency, and financial sustainability in hospital settings. However, many departments continue to rely on decentralized and paper-based inventory coordination processes that may increase dispensing errors, administrative workload, and inventory costs. This study evaluated the implementation of a hospital-operated Supply–Processing–Distribution (SPD) logistics management model in the Department of Stomatology of a tertiary hospital. A quasi-experimental pre–post design was used, including a 6-month baseline period (January–June 2023) and a 6-month post-implementation period (July–December 2023). The SPD model integrated barcode-enabled smart storage cabinets, standardized consumables master-data management, and bidirectional connectivity with the hospital information system. Primary operational outcomes included delivery error rate, delivery time, staff workload, service satisfaction, and inventory capital occupation. Multivariable regression and interrupted time-series analyses were performed. A total of 31,248 dispensing events were evaluated. Following SPD implementation, delivery error rates decreased from 2.00% to 0.50%, and mean delivery time was reduced significantly. Staff workload decreased, while service satisfaction improved after implementation. Monthly inventory capital occupation also declined substantially, with interrupted time-series analysis demonstrating significant post-implementation changes in level and trend. Implementation of the hospital-operated SPD model was associated with improved operational efficiency, traceability of consumables, workflow standardization, and inventory management within the stomatology department. The findings support the potential value of digitally integrated logistics governance systems for optimizing hospital consumables management and reducing workflow interruptions during routine clinical operations.

Introduction

Medical consumables are essential to hospital operations, and their effective management directly influences patient safety, financial sustainability, and clinical workflow efficiency. Inventory governance in hospital supply chains is inherently complex because of high product diversity, fluctuating demand, expiration-sensitive materials, and regulatory oversight^1,2. Inadequate management of consumables may contribute to stock shortages, delivery delays, increased manual workload, inventory obsolescence, and documentation errors, all of which can negatively affect operational performance and the continuity of ....

Protocol

1. Ethical approval and regulatory compliance

This study was conducted as a hospital-based quality-improvement and operational evaluation initiative within the Department of Stomatology at Guigang People’s Hospital. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Guigang People’s Hospital (Approval No. GGPH-2022-061; approved December 15, 2022). The ethics committee approved the analysis of dispensing, inventory management, and logistics system data extracted from institutional information systems. Because no identifiable patient information was collected, informed consent from individual patients was w....

Results

Study activity and volume
Clinical activity remained stable throughout the study period, suggesting that observed operational changes were unlikely to be attributable to differences in patient volume. Weekly surveys were administered to 18 staff members involved in consumables management. Of the 468 possible questionnaires per study period, 448 were completed during the pre-implementation phase (95.7%) and 452 during the post-implementation phase (96.6%). Staff-related outcomes were analyzed using we.......

Discussion

In this single-center quasi-experimental evaluation, implementation of a hospital-operated Supply–Processing–Distribution (SPD) logistics-management model was associated with significant improvements in consumables-management performance within the stomatology department. Following implementation, delivery-error rates decreased substantially, delivery time was reduced, staff workload associated with consumables management declined, and service-satisfaction scores improved. Inventory capital occupation also de.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Barcode scanner	Zebra Technologies	DS2208	Used to scan item barcodes during dispensing and stock reconciliation
Computer workstation	Lenovo	ThinkCentre M720	Used for SPD system access, data entry, and monitoring
Hospital Information System (HIS)	Hospital Information Technology Department	N/A	Integrated with SPD platform for bidirectional synchronization of requisitions, billing, and inventory data
Medical-grade refrigerator	Haier Biomedical	HYC-390	Temperature-monitored refrigerator for storage of temperature-sensitive medical consumables
R statistical software	R Foundation for Statistical Computing	Version 4.3.1	Used for statistical analysis including regression and interrupted time series analysis
Smart storage cabinet	HoloTech Medical Systems	SC-200	Barcode-enabled cabinet used for point-of-care storage and automated stock deduction
SPD logistics management software platform	Hospital Information Technology Department	N/A	Software used for inventory management, requisition processing, and dispensing transaction recording
Staff workload and satisfaction survey questionnaire	Department of Stomatology	N/A	Weekly survey instrument used to collect staff workload hours and satisfaction scores