“Our value is the sum of our values.”
— Joe Batten
Medical couriers are becoming increasingly important in connecting the interdependent value chain partners within the healthcare continuum. Whether transporting medical supplies, lab samples, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic test results, or other mission critical healthcare-related materials practitioners, hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and pharmacies recognize partnering with a dependable, trustworthy courier service is essential in providing the highest quality care.
There are three crucial attributes that define a dependable and trustworthy courier partner:
Flexibility
In an extraordinary and indispensable way your courier partner functions as an extension of your organization’s staff. Which means it must provide services at-scale. So when seasonal or other unusual demand requires increased delivery activity, it is fulfilled without delay. At the same time it must be equal parts proactive and reactive. Proactive in route planning and sweep scheduling to optimize fuel, time, and cost efficiencies. Reactive by being prepared for urgent on-demand requests. Technology plays a vital role in ensuring the agility, accuracy, and accessibility of services—so make sure your partner provides a friction system and process for scheduling, ordering, and tracking all activity.
Transparency
Visibility is essential for operating an optimized courier program. For complete transparency to exist you must have as much input and control as necessary. That includes the ability to access and share order entry, tracking, and delivery confirmation information in real-time. Moreover, it involves fair and detailed pricing, precise pick-up and delivery projections, and timely and accurate billing procedures. Record keeping and reporting must also be accessible and on point. Collaboration relative to program planning and establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) helps you ensure well-warranted continuous improvement measures are in place and driving any unnecessary costs out of the process.
Precision
Perhaps the most important attribute a courier partner must offer is professionalism—both with respect to delivery personnel and its operational support team. Clearly technology is the game changer when it comes to order entry, tracking, and delivery confirmations, but the presence of a knowledgeable, always-on dispatch and operations team ensures that when things require human intervention a properly prepared and trained person is available. Drivers trained in handling hazardous, temperature sensitive, and other specialized materials are also a valuable asset. Since delivery personnel represent your organization, they should share and consistently demonstrate your firm’s values, both in terms of personal demeanor and the condition of the vehicle used for deliveries.
In the medical profession—from one end of the healthcare continuum to the other—there is no margin for error. People count on healthcare professionals for life saving and life sustaining services. Their quality of life depends on it. MMS Courier is a proven leader in professional courier services and a cost-effective solution that elevates your capacity to serve patients and channel partners throughout the healthcare continuum in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.