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Big data analytics in inventory management in healthcare supply chain
Get PDFIntroduction: As healthcare organizations increasingly have relied on digital transformation to meet growing demands for efficiency and cost reduction, big data analytics have emerged as a key tool for optimizing supply chain performance. Inventory management, which accounted for up to 50% of total hospital operating costs, remained one of the most critical and complex areas in the healthcare supply chain. Traditional inventory methods often led to stockouts, waste, and inefficiencies. The integration of big data tools such as predictive analytics and enterprise resource planning systems presented an opportunity to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing big data analytics compared to traditional inventory management methods on inventory efficiency in healthcare, focusing specifically on decreased stockout rates, reduced inventory waste, and lower supply chain costs.
Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative literature review combined with a semi-structured interview. Twenty-three peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2024 were analyzed, and one expert interview with a healthcare supply chain manager was conducted to support the literature findings with real-world experience. Data was gathered using PRISMA guidelines and included U.S.-based sources from academic databases and professional associations.
Results: One study showed that the use of big data analytics significantly improved inventory efficiency. Key metrics included a reduction in stockouts by up to 20%, a 30% reduction in inventory levels through Vendor-Managed Inventory systems, and cost savings of up to 25% annually. The interview highlighted the advantages of ERP systems like Infor in enabling better access to data, improving staff efficiency through handheld use, and enhancing forecasting. However, challenges such as inconsistent lead times, labor force education, and underutilization of technology were also identified.
Discussion/Conclusion: Big data analytics improved inventory tracking, forecasting, and cost management in healthcare settings. However, implementation success was heavily dependent on capital investment, workforce training, and organizational readiness. The findings were largely positive but not universally conclusive due to ongoing operational barriers. Further research was recommended to evaluate the long-term impact of analytics integration and to address persistent challenges in healthcare supply chain management
Atypical presentation of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma with metastasis to breast tissue
Get PDFMalignant neoplasms of the lung commonly metastasize to lymph nodes, bone, brain, and liver via hematogenous and lymphatic routes. Much less commonly, metastasis occurs in the breast. Secondary metastatic disease of the breast is very rare, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.4-1.3%—with primary lung cancer being one of the most anomalous sources. This case details non-small cell lung cancer metastasis to the breast with proven primary contralateral lung origination. This atypical finding prompts medical professionals to consider these malignant cells\u27 immunologic, histologic, and pathologic makeup to understand further and treat the neoplasm
Successful flexible bronchoscopic extraction of a dental foreign body aspirated into the left mainstem bronchus
Get PDFForeign body aspiration (FBA) is a potentially life-threatening emergency that commonly occurs in children but varies widely in clinical presentation. Rapid diagnosis and intervention are of the utmost importance to prevent complications such as airway obstruction, infection, and lung injury. While uncommon in adults, most encountered causes occur in the setting of intoxication, neuromuscular weakness, or iatrogenic dental work. Those with dental prostheses are especially susceptible due to the partially attached nature, rendering the risk of accidental dislodgement. This report discusses an uncommon case wherein an 82-year-old male aspirated a dental bridge into his left mainstem bronchus during routine dental treatment. Flexible bronchoscopy with a urology basket had to be employed for successful removal. The choice of extraction technique via flexible or rigid bronchoscopy largely depends on the specific features and location of the foreign body; however, there is much debate about whether specific criteria warrant one over the other or if flexible should always be the first line. Preventive measures, including rubber dams, should be utilized to minimize the risk of aspiration during dental procedures, as the downstream effects can be deleterious. Despite the uncommon clinical occurrence of an adult aspirating a dental foreign body, this case report emphasizes the clinical importance of primary prevention to avoid similar occurrences
Participant 009: Reiki Practitioner with one year of experience (Latin American; Female; England, United Kingdom)
Get PDFThis is an interview about Reiki and its connection with overall well-being with a Reiki Practitioner holding ~one year of Reiki experience (Latin American; Female; England, United Kingdom). She was interviewed on May 7, 2025. The participant agreed to the terms outlined in the verbal informed consent form before this interview. Some of the broad conversations within this interview include the more widespread use of Reiki in scientific practices, the participant\u27s experience with a group engaging in multiple healing modalities, Reiki\u27s ability to create more balance and compassion, and her early years with her parents and their religious and spiritual experiences. Lindsey Harper was the interviewer and the primary investigator for this project. Please download this document to read the full de-identified interview.https://mds.marshall.edu/reikiconversations/1010/thumbnail.jp
Ransomware in Healthcare: Threats, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies
Get PDFExcerpt: The growing digitalization of healthcare has exposed hospitals to significant cybersecurity threats, particularly ransomware attacks. The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) reported that as of mid-2024, there were 730 cyber-attacks worldwide against healthcare institutions, with 530 targeting the U.S. (AHA, 2024). Half of these incidents involved ransomware, a type of malware that restricts access to critical data until a ransom is paid (HHS, 2021). Hospitals are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to their essential role in patient care. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in hospital networks, often causing severe operational and financial damage. Factors such as understaffed IT teams, outdated security infrastructure, and the necessity of immediate patient care contribute to healthcare’s susceptibility to these attacks. This paper examines the extent to which ransomware attacks have impacted healthcare facilities, including financial repercussions, patient safety risks, and operational disruptions
Uncovering new perspectives on job performance in diverse work settings: a Job Demand-Resource theoretical approach
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to integrate the agility literature within the theoretical framework of the Job Demand-Resource (JD-R) Theory to examine and validate whether employee agility (job resources) and work overload (job demands) influence the relationship between subjective wellbeing, work engagement, and job performance among remote, hybrid, and onsite workers. Data was collected through a Qualtrics Online panel, utilizing five standardized and validated scales, from a sample of 504 full-time employed respondents across the United States. The data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results indicated a significant relationship between employee agility, work engagement, and subjective well-being, highlighting the importance for organizations to cultivate a more adaptive, engaged, and well-balanced workforce to enhance overall productivity. Furthermore, the study found that job performance was comparable between onsite and remote workers with onsite workers performing better than hybrid workers. These findings carry important theoretical and practical implications. By incorporating employee agility as a job resource into the JD-R framework, this study contributes to the expansion of existing literature. It is anticipated that these results will serve as a catalyst for further empirical research in this emerging area. Additionally, the insights gained from this study offer valuable guidance for organizations aiming to enhance employee performance and well-being across diverse work environments
Recovery capital among students in Collegiate Recovery Programs at two-year and four-year higher education institutions in West Virginia
Get PDFCollegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) have been around for decades, supporting higher education students by offering supports, resources, and a community. However, most existing research focuses on four-year institutions, and there is limited data on recovery supports at twoyear institutions, as well as limited research on recovery capital among this population. This study explores differences in recovery capital, a measure of internal and external resources supporting recovery, among students in CRPs at two-year versus four-year institutions in West Virginia by answering the following questions: 1.) Are there differences between students’ reported recovery capital index (RCI) scores based on institution type? 2.) Are there differences in positive recovery capital scores? 3.) Are there differences in negative recovery capital scores? 4.) Are there differences in other recovery capital areas based on institution type? The study used de-identified REC-CAP (Recovery Capital) assessment data from 172 participants. It employed a non-experimental, descriptive design, and the data analysis included measures of central tendency and independent t-tests to assess differences between student groups. The findings indicated significant differences between the groups in positive recovery capital scores, negative recovery capital scores, personal recovery capital scores, social recovery capital scores, commitment to recovery scores, barriers to recovery, and service needs. None of the other domains showed significant differences. These results may have implications for expanding and tailoring recovery support services across higher education settings
A Case for Homiletical Aesthetics: The Adorned Rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr.
Get PDFDespite the growing support of aesthetics within the field of homiletics, undercurrents of suspicion remain, particularly in Western evangelical settings. The reasons for this suspicion are far-reaching, ranging from theological concerns to unmerited fears regarding the handling of Scripture. Given this background, the adorned rhetoric of Martin Luther King Jr. provides a compelling case study for the indispensability of homiletical aesthetics. This study briefly overviews King’s use of artful rhetoric, exploring its origins and sociotheological factors that compelled beauty and adornment in the pulpit. This paper will argue that aesthetics in Christian preaching should be considered essential, especially when addressing communities that have experienced marginalization and social crisis
Womanist Pedagogy and Teaching Preaching: Black Women Preachers as Sources for Pedagogical Reflection
Get PDFThe preaching classroom is a place of exploration, interrogation, and reflection. For Black preaching women, it is also a place for deep introspection and wrestling with questions of self-identity, religious authority, and theological (un)certainty. In this essay I show how womanist pedagogy functions to intervene and disrupt harmful assumptions in the preaching classroom, such as who can preach, who should preach, and how preachers engage with Scripture. Using Black women preaching students as sources for reflection, I explore political clarity, risk taking, teaching with tenderness, active listening, and instructional agility, to aid womanist-informed pedagogues in attending to the range of perspectives that emerge for preaching instructors. I assert that attending to who is in the room is at the heart of womanist pedagogy