While inventory management optimises the consignment warehouses, implant kits can significantly reduce them. All the products and materials needed for an implantation are brought together in the implant kit and delivered to the hospital as required for the operation, after which they are collected again. Strategic forward-stocking locations facilitate rapid delivery. The prompt and precise invoice sent to the hospital will only include the parts that are actually used. This ensures that All the necessary products – both the implant and the necessary accessories – are in the right place at the right time, so that the hospital staff can focus on the patient.

As a partner to manufacturers and hospitals, STOK provides Arvato with transport and recovery of specialised devices all the way to and from the nursing station. Both equipment delivery and product delivery within the scope of vendor managed inventory are carried out using STOK’s own vehicles from the forward-stocking locations, with same-day delivery available on request. Of course, the medical technology manufacturer's own central warehouses or the Arvato distribution structures can also be integrated into the delivery chain. STOK offers a very high level of reliability by using its own transport network.

In addition to stock taking, Arvato’s STOK team also performs inventory management. Products that are close to their expiry date are identified and collected so that, if needed, they can be used appropriately at short notice – in implant kits, for example – to avoid destruction costs. This service is supplemented by detailed stock analyses for individual storage locations, including optimisation recommendations and regular reports on products that are close to their expiry date. Experienced personnel deliver products all the way to the nursing station or operating theatre.

With “bio bins”, Arvato provides hospitals with holistic returns management that goes far beyond returning unused new products. Delivery and collection of bio bins (un3373 collection bins) is a convenient solution for the return and disposal of routinely explanted pacemakers, which can be extended to other products. The bio bins are collected directly from the operating theatre, and the devices are catalogued. Recorded serial numbers are reported back directly to the manufacturer.

The experienced STOK personnel visit the hospitals regularly and take stock for all vendors, in all existing storage places. Here both the STOK capture system and the manufacturer-specific scanner solution will be used. Consumption is documented reliably, and correct and timely billing by the manufacturer is ensured. This relieves the pressure on both the sales team and the hospital for all aspects of stock taking and management, and frees them up to concentrate on sales and patient care. A designated liaison for each hospital builds trust with the nursing staff, and facilitates access to stock levels in stations and the operating theatre.