Inventory Control Systems for National Health Laboratory Services

The book looks at the inventory management systems that laboratories can explore in order to maximise their operational efficiency and effectiveness. Some of the models that laboratories can explore includes inter alia, min-max system, build to order, build to stock, ABC analysis, vendor managed inventory (VMI), electronic data interchange (EDI), automatic pipeline inventory and order based production control system (APIOBPCS), stochastic inventory systems and genetic algorithm. The purpose of this edition is to educate and inform managers of clinical laboratories on the current models they can explore in managing inventory and ensuring good customer service. The case study of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) KZN in South Africa serves as an example of the impacts of not adopting current technologies in inventory control.