ReviewBMJ open quality2026
Optimising ICU supply chains: Evidence-based strategies for efficiency, resilience and patient safety-a structured narrative review.
Review in BMJ open quality, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Inventory management in intensive care units (ICUs) plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted patient care, yet it remains an underprioritised component of healthcare operations. This narrative review explores current challenges and evidence-based strategies for optimising ICU supply chains. Issues such as unpredictable demand, manual stock tracking, procurement inefficiencies and limited staff training often contribute to stockouts, expired supplies and delayed interventions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed systemic vulnerabilities, emphasising the need for resilient, technology-driven supply systems. A comprehensive literature search (2004-2025) was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar using keywords related to ICU inventory, artificial intelligence (AI) forecasting, radio frequency identification (RFID), procurement and digital health logistics. Findings were synthesised into thematic categories addressing core problems and interventions. Key strategies include implementing automated tracking systems, adopting AI-driven demand forecasting, standardising procurement policies, training ICU staff in inventory best practices and establishing emergency buffer stock. Emerging technologies such as digital twins and blockchain are highlighted for their potential to enhance transparency, responsiveness and planning accuracy. Additionally, fostering multisourcing supplier partnerships and optimising ICU storage space can further enhance system agility and reduce waste. In conclusion, ICU supply chains must evolve from reactive, manual systems to proactive, data-driven frameworks. Hospitals should invest in digital infrastructure, staff training and ethical procurement models to build resilient, cost-effective and patient-centred supply chains.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.