Article Synopsis: Healthcare Technology, Inventory and Disaster Aid

This essay presents a synopsis of three articles focusing on technology in healthcare. The first article, based on a CVS Health poll, highlights the positive impact of technology on healthcare outcomes and costs, emphasizing the importance of accessible and convenient digital tools for patients. The second article discusses inventory management technology in modern physician practices, emphasizing its role in cost reduction, improved operational visibility, and efficient financial and clinical outcomes. The third article details Walgreens' proactive measures to support communities affected by Hurricane Michael, including prescription drug preparedness, customer support through mobile pharmacies, and relief and recovery efforts. The author relates these articles to their own employer's experiences, highlighting the successful implementation of technology for automation, inventory optimization, and community support through a donation foundation.

Running header: Article Synopsis 1
Article Synopsis
Student Name
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Article Synopsis 2
Utilizing technology to improve healthcare.
According to a recent CVS health poll carried out by Morning Consult, a majority of
Americans believe that technology has a positive impact in improving both healthcare outcomes
and healthcare costs (CVS Health, 2018). From the findings, it is equally important to ensure that
patients can easily access health services by being connected to technological tools that ensure
convenience, affordability, and consistency in healthcare. Besides, according to the poll, most
Americans are comfortable in using technology in aspects such as prescription management and
appointment scheduling. Therefore, CVS Health is providing patients with the digital tools
required in managing their health. For example, in ensuring patients take medicine in time, CVS
Health offers both ScriptSync and ScriptPath Prescription Schedule to make it easy for patients
to manage their prescriptions (CVS Health, 2018).
In addition, CVS Health is expanding access to health care providers in various
communities which is eighty percent less expensive than other healthcare providers. However, at
some point, healthcare becomes both complex and fragmented hence connectivity among
healthcare providers is essential in ensuring patients can manage their conditions much better
(CVS Health, 2018). All this to be possible, technology will be crucial since it has a positive
outcome on health. In conclusion, CVS Health has strategic partnerships that allow connectivity
to about 90% of health records in the US hence providing the patients with real-time benefits.
Inventory management and modern physician practice.
Drug inventory management has been an issue of concern for as long as physicians’
practices have distributed medications. The need for an inventory management solution stems
out from the challenge of storage including aspects such as adequate refrigeration, demand on
safety and security, temperature controls and lastly logistics of distribution and resupply
(Fortner, 2018). In recent years, medical practitioners have shifted their understanding of
inventory management since it provides more benefits other than dispensing of medication.
Inventory management technology can assist in different ways in the modern healthcare
environment. To begin with, it can help in reducing costs through automation of manual
processes (Fortner, 2018). For example, technology such as radiofrequency identification can
help monitor product levels as they are removed from cabinets. Secondly, it can help improve
both operation visibility and resources allocation. For example, real-time alerts can be provided

Article Synopsis 3
in cases when a drug is dispensed soon than required so as to prevent losses before happening.
Lastly, it can help in driving efficient financial and clinical outcomes through integrating other
systems (Fortner, 2018).
Walgreens mobilizes support in advance of Hurricane Michael for communities in the
Storm’s path.
Walgreens mobilized proactive measures for fully supporting the communities in the
projected path of Hurricane Michael. The company undertook various steps to ensure its
readiness for the disaster. To begin with, we have prescription drug preparedness. Walgreens
suggested that its patients should carry any current medications with them even if the bottles
were empty so as to make it easy for the pharmacy staff to fulfill refill requests easily
(Walgreens Newsroom, 2018). Secondly, we have customer support. Walgreens proactively
staged temporary mobile pharmacies and emergency power generators so as to be deployed in
case the main drugstores were damaged. Lastly, we have relief and recovery. In response to the
disaster, the company was to evaluate its philanthropic response through the donation of needed
items and also emergency shelters. The company further directed that all people were to follow
emergency directives so as to get a safe location first then medication refill would be efficient
(Walgreens Newsroom, 2018).
Relation.
Technology is a valuable asset. In relation to the article on utilizing technology to
improve healthcare, my employer has effectively employed technology in the automation of
services. For example, connectivity to suppliers has ensured customer requests are met in time.
In relation to the other article on inventory management, employing inventory management
technology has assisted my employer in ensuring the flow of inventory is optimized. Besides,
extra storage costs have been curbed effectively. Lastly, in relation to the publication on
Walgreens about it support towards the victims of Hurricane Michael’s, my employer is also
keen in supporting the local communities. For example, a donation foundation has been
established by my employer to assist people in cases of disasters. This gesture has received
recognition by international non-profit organizations who have assisted my employer in reaching
more people.

Article Synopsis 4
References
CVS Health, (2018). By the Numbers: Utilizing Technology to Improve Care. Retrieved from
https://cvshealth.com/thought-leadership/by-the-numbers-utilizing-technology-to-
improve-care
Fortner, B. (2018). Inventory Management Technology as the Hub of a Fully Integrated
Specialty Practice Solution: Part One. Retrieved from
https://www.amerisourcebergen.com/abcnew/insights/beyond-inventory-management-
part-1
Walgreens Newsroom. (2018). Walgreens Mobilizes in Advance of Hurricane Michael to
Support Customers, Team Members and Communities in Storm's Path. Retrieved from
https://news.walgreens.com/press-releases/general-news/walgreens-mobilizes-in-
advance-of-hurricane-michael-to-support-customers-team-members-and-communities-in-
storms-path.htm