24th Conference of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies
Abstract Submission

3582. Collaborative logistics networks in healthcare

Invited abstract in session HF-51: Logistics Network Design, stream Hub Location and Network Design.

Thursday, 16:15-17:45
Room: HG – Seminar-Raum Geschichte 1 (1st floor, st. 10)

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Inez Puttemans
Hasselt University
2. Kris Braekers
Research Group Logistics, Hasselt University
3. An Caris
Research Group Logistics, Hasselt University
4. Jean-Sébastien Tancrez
CORE - Louvain School of Management, Université catholique de Louvain

Abstract

Healthcare institutions face rising financial pressure. Logistics is a key cost driver, indicating the need to rethink healthcare system organization. This study presents a Healthcare-specific Location–Inventory Problem to design efficient care hub networks by jointly optimizing locations and inventory. A key aspect is product standardization, aligning diverse preferred products into a standardized product. Consolidating institutions’ inventories into care hubs reduces costs, with further savings from standardization. Sensitivity analyses show how parameter changes affect costs and design.

Keywords

Status: accepted


Back to the list of papers