Where are you? A preliminary examination of the track and trace mechanisms in place to facilitate effective closed-loop medical equipment retrieval in the National Health Service (NHS) (UK)

yesThe National Health Service (UK) is wholly accountable and heavily scrutinised for its strategy, activity, performance and spending (Appleby, 2016; NHS Confederation, 2016; Parliament UK, 2010), and much research has been undertaken as to its effectiveness at managing its operations and its competency in doing so (Gov.Uk, 2016; National Audit Office, 1999)). The impact of not performing adequately combined with threats such as funding cuts (King’s Fund, 2016), government intervention and private sector competition; has led to uncertainty and disillusion with the sustainability of the service (Hunter, 2016). Based on current economic concerns, this paper chooses to focus on the area of Medical Equipment Loans Services where products are released to patients to aid therapeutic rehabilitation and physical mobility. The aim of this study is to examine the process of product retrieval in a multi-case study analysis and consider how value-added technologies can be used to improve retrieval success rates

Back to the future? A theoretically inspired musing on the concept of Product Stewardship and its implications for Corporate and Social Responsibility

yesThe concept of corporate and social responsibility (CSR) has gained increasing momentum and importance in business operations today and companies have globally responded to this philosophy. To what end though? Product Stewardship (PS) and the corporate, social and environmental responsibilities associated within this term are a key part of a business’s CSR agenda. In the extant literature, it is a challenge to clearly identify the boundaries of responsibility for PS - who sets these boundaries for governance and what are the actions taken under the guise of PS. This paper aims to start the process of demystification in responding to the title of this work, stimulate further musings and outline a future research agenda

Waste-to-fuel opportunities for British quick service restaurants: A case study

The fast food supply chain is facing increasing operating costs due to volatile food and energy prices. Based on a case study of a major fast food logistics operator, this paper quantifies the potential for fuel generation from the waste generated by quick-service restaurants in Britain. Several fuel pathways and supply chains were mapped to understand the carbon intensity of the various waste-to-fuel opportunities, the number of heavy goods vehicles that might be powered and the key factors that could help companies make better informed decisions related to fuel generation from waste. The research suggested that depending on the scenarios considered, between 13.9 and 17.2 million GJ of energy could be obtained from fuels made from the waste arisings of British quick service restaurants and their distribution centres (DCs), representing between 4.4 and 5.8% of the national energy consumption from heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and well-to-wheel (WTW) greenhouse gases (GHG) savings of between 652 and 898 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. Used cooking oil and burger fat arising from British quick-service restaurants could generate enough energy to power up to 3891 HGVs with FAME diesel (B100), 1622 with HVO diesel (B100) or 1943 with biomethane annually. The paper and card generated by these same establishments could also power an additional 4623 biomethane vehicles, wood pallets could power an additional 73 bioethanol trucks and plastics could also power 341 vehicles running with synthetic diesel. The results showed that collections of separate waste fractions by logistics operators could make a relevant contribution towards the decarbonisation of the supply chain while reducing disposal fees and fuel costs. The carbon emissions resulting from this approach depend greatly on the footprint of the collection and transportation systems used to move waste from the restaurants to the processing plants and return the converted fuel back to the distribution centres where the vehicles are refuelled. Logistics firms are in a privileged position to manage these flows as they can use empty back-haul trips to collect and consolidate waste in distribution centres

Understanding temporal rhythms and travel behaviour at destinations: Potential ways to achieve more sustainable travel

This paper analyses the roles played by time in destination-based travel behaviour. It contrasts clock time's linear view of time with fragmented time, instantaneous time, fluid time and flow, time out and the multiple temporalities of tourism experiences. It explores temporal issues in a destination travel context, using qualitative techniques. Data were captured using diary photography, diary-interview method with tourists at a rural destination; their spatial and temporal patterns were captured using a purpose built smartphone app. The analysis revealed three temporal themes influencing travel behaviour: time fluidity; daily and place-related rhythms; and control of time. Three key messages emerge for future sustainable tourist destination-based travel systems. Given the strong desire for temporal fluidity, transport systems should evolve beyond clock-time regimes. Second, temporal forces favour personal modes of transport (car, walk, cycle), especially in rural areas where public transport cannot offer flexibility. Third, the car is personalised and perceived to optimise travel fluidity and speed, but is currently unsustainable. Imaginative initiatives, using new mobile media technology can offer new positive and proactive car travel, utilising spare public and private vehicle capacity. Research is needed to implement mechanisms for individualised space-time scheduling and collective vehicle use strategies. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Breaking ‘Smart’ New Ground: A preliminary assessment of the uptake and use of Smart Technologies in NHS Hospital Pharmacies (UK).

yesMedicines management is only one part of NHS (UK) procurement and management, but essentially a very expensive part. According to the Commercial Medicines Unit (Department of Health, 2013), NHS hospitals in England currently spend around £3.6 billion annually on pharmaceuticals, having risen from £2.2. billion in 2005. The NHS continuously strives to promote excellence in what it does and justify how it does it. In undertaking this preliminary analysis 45 pharmacy staff members contributed to an online survey. The results presented a broad mix of views on how smart technology (e.g. iPhone, iPad) could be used and if it should be used at all in this setting. The outcome of this small scale study demonstrates the lack of knowledge as to if and how such technologies could be used in hospital pharmacy and therefore present grounds for testing out the broader application of smart technology via academic and practitioner consultations

Collaborative Travel Apps, Reciprocity and the Internet of Things

As cities become increasingly connected, both people and objects can connect to the Internet to transmit and receive information. This is the Internet of Things. Smartphone technology can help identify current and anticipate future patterns of behaviour and, with its social networking capabilities, allow users to imagine collaborative opportunities. This has led to the development of collaborative travel apps designed to enable activities like lift sharing. However, two projects working with community based travel collaboration apps identify significant challenges to people accessing forms of travel assistance due to the imperative of reciprocity. Collaborative travel apps depend on users to offer help, but they also need users to ask for or accept help. This paper analyses the fundamental challenges of reciprocity as facilitated by these apps and considers how the near future Internet of Things might alter practices.Trials of purpose built collaborative travel apps were conducted across four communities (a campsite, two rural villages and an urban fringe estate) during 2013 and 2014 involving 66 participants. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and all app activities (messages and transactions) were recorded through a linked database.Offers of help dominated in contrast to requests for and acceptance of help.Feelings of indebtedness inhibit app use since they threa ten a user’s status, power and freedom of action with respect to the donor of help. Other transport issues of flexibility and control were also apparent. The paper discusses how indebtedness might be addressed during the design and implementation of such apps. Also, the emergence of the Internet of Things, with its more anticipatory systems, prompts a reappraisal of current Internet based collaborative communities which raises questions about the human regulation of reciprocal arrangements and presents opportunities for parties who are less able to reciprocate such as the ageing population