Preparedness is one of the most important elements of hospital procurement. It can also be one of the most challenging, especially during seasonal surges. Read on to learn more about how the reliability of your body bag supplier can help.
Currently, the best way to predict the ideal number of cadaver bags is to follow the statistics. In addition to a 2% increase in excess mortality rates following COVID-19, figures from the NHS show that seasonal hospitalisations are rising year-upon-year. An example is norovirus. Norovirus is thought to be responsible for up to 278,000 annual deaths globally, and the NHS saw admissions jump 28% between the winters of 2022 and 2023.
Historically, sudden surges such as this have left hospitals without enough body bags. An efficient supplier can provide same-day cadaver bag delivery to respond to seasonal emergencies.
It is now proven that all infectious diseases are seasonal. This includes serious illnesses such as Hepatitis B, Zika, and all types of influenza. Seasons affect the spread of infectious diseases in several ways, with the biology of humans and the ecology of the world being closely intertwined.
It’s important to be aware of which illnesses are likely to peak at which time of year. To mitigate risk, partner with a supplier who uses advanced statistical modelling within their own supply chain to ensure a consistent supply.
Despite statistical patterns, and the knowledge of which illnesses are likely to peak during which seasons, nobody can accurately predict exactly how many deaths each season will bring. This is due to gaps in scientific knowledge. For instance, scientists are unsure which weather factors are responsible for increased influenza deaths. Cold, dry air “may be related” to mortality; but so too may be damp air. In short, scientists simply don’t know.
This knowledge gap can create problems for hospital procurement. As such, it is crucial for the NHS to partner with body bag reliable manufacturers who can provide rapid re-stocks as required.
When planning ahead, look to historic models to gauge potential scenarios, and always err on the side of caution. Dignity and discretion are essential to ethical treatment of the deceased, so ensuring a constant supply of appropriate body bags is essential. To reduce wildcard factors such as uncertainty, it is important to collaborate with a reliable body bag manufacturer. An efficient body bag supplier will be able to fulfil urgent orders quickly, even when demand is high.
As the seasons change, and health risks evolve, it is essential to have a robust programme in place. Part of this programme should involve having an on-demand body-bag supplier. To ensure that your hospital is prepared for deaths from seasonal illnesses, talk to an expert today.
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