Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: From Fragmentation to Forecasting: Integrating Logistics Across Health Systems
Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Lucas Voss
Guest: Deborah Haywood, VP and General Manager of Health Systems, McKesson Medical Surgical

Main Theme:

This episode explores the persistent challenge of fragmentation in healthcare logistics and how the industry is shifting towards integrated, technology-driven solutions. Featuring insights from Deborah Haywood, it delves into practical approaches for logistics integration, the balance between centralized and local supply chain decisions, and the power of predictive analytics to streamline operations across health systems and improve patient care.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Deborah Haywood’s Background & Perspective

• Clinical and Leadership Experience: Deborah started as a respiratory therapist, inspired by her father’s military service and his injury when she was young. She has experience across acute care, leadership roles in DME, and now as VP/GM at McKesson overseeing health systems.
• Unique Viewpoint: Brings both the provider and supplier perspective to the conversation, focusing on improving provider efficiency and patient care by streamlining logistics.

  “My passion just stems from always striving to focus on improving patient care through provider efficiencies and streamlining logistics.” — Deborah Haywood [00:44]

Understanding Fragmentation in Health System Logistics

• Cause of Fragmentation: Driven by medical product innovation, advances in technology, and reimbursement changes favoring care outside hospitals (such as at home or specialty clinics).
• Manifestation:
  • More care delivered in non-acute, outpatient, and even home settings
  • Supply needs shifted from bulk (cases/pallets) to small, immediate-use (eaches/boxes), challenging logistics and storage
• Risk and Cost: Fragmentation increases costs, risk, and unnecessary variation in care and supply reliability.

  “The fragmentation simply exists because we've now got a population of...caregivers...or even that person that has an unfortunate disease...We can now research [online] what kind of products can take care of...ourself.” — Deborah Haywood [02:07]

True Integration of Logistics Across Non-Acute Settings

• First Step: Technology Integration:
  • Logistics integration now begins with technology—understanding what systems (electronic health records, inventory management) the provider uses.
  • Conversation has shifted from product selection/cost alone to include IT integration and workflow optimization.
• Provider Needs:
  • Smaller practices often lack dedicated procurement staff; clinicians often order and receive products themselves.
  • Efficient technology and supply chain solutions are crucial for supporting these multi-tasking clinicians.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  • Some products require specific tracking (e.g., lot numbers, DSCSA compliance). Integrated systems help reduce regulatory burden and support reimbursement.

  “The integration of logistics actually starts with the Integration of technology...that provider has to have ease of use.” — Deborah Haywood [04:27]

Central vs. Local Decision-Making in Supply Chain

• Balancing Act:
  • Centralization seeks to streamline formularies and optimize spending.
  • Local autonomy is crucial for specialties or populations with unique product needs (e.g., pediatrics, oncology, infusion clinics).
• Customization:
  • Formularies should be tailored to each site’s care model to prevent waste and ensure patient needs are met without excessive inventory.

  “So while an overall overarching formulary works great, we do have to be cognizant of those providers and that local specific type of care that they're delivering...” — Deborah Haywood [07:10]

Forecasting and Analytics: From Reactive to Proactive Supply Chain

• Role of Data:
  • Past utilization patterns (6, 12, 18 months), region-specific seasonality (hurricanes, wildfires, flu season), and unplanned events inform predictive analytics and replenishment.
• Constraints:
  • Health systems have less storage; can’t afford excess or expired inventory.
  • Just-in-time delivery is key, supported by reliable distributor backup inventory.
• Tools & Examples:
  • McKesson Business Analytic Tool (“MBA”): Quarterly consultative reviews on item usage and planning.
  • OrderLogic: A technology aiding home health and nurse-driven orders for specific patients.
• Realities:
  • Unpredictability (e.g., COVID, flu spikes, natural disasters) means forecasting must be dynamic and responsive.

  “We have to help our providers make sure they have the vaccines, they have the products they need for emergency preparedness and planning, but they need it when they need it.” — Deborah Haywood [09:26]

The Importance of Analytics Tools for System-Wide Reliability

• For McKesson (Internally):
  • Supports category management, tight coordination with manufacturers, critical item tracking, real-time inventory planning.
• For Health Systems (Externally):
  • Provides confidence in product availability, supports operational continuity (even in adverse events), enables effective patient care in rural and urban settings.
  • Private transportation fleets ensure deliveries during inclement weather.
• Beyond Cost Savings:
  • Logistics technology also enables revenue generation (e.g., supporting labs in non-acute settings), supporting the financial health of clinics and providers.

  “It starts at the very beginning, planning our internal teams, working with our manufacturers to make sure we do have the appropriate amount of product ordered. But it flows all the way through. The technology gives us that ability to make sure we take care of our providers and patients.” — Deborah Haywood [12:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Big Shift:

  “Now we have providers that are differentiated by specialty. They’re actually in clinics, they’re able to see patients and outpatient that once they used to only be able to see in hospitals...what we used to deliver in cases and pallets to a hospital now needs to be delivered in eaches and small boxes to that provider.” — Deborah Haywood [02:07]

• On Provider-Centric Technology:

  “They need planning, they have to plan for their budgets. They have to understand what’s going to be impacted for them. They can’t order too much...but if they have a spike...we have to have that sitting there so they can get it whenever they need it most.” — Deborah Haywood [09:26]

• On the Future:

  “Our business continuity planning...with our technology allows us to be prepared and protect our providers during inclement weather or even worse, during cyber attacks...we are still able to deliver that inventory so they can take care of their patients while their technology has to be rebooted.” — Deborah Haywood [15:14]

Key Timestamps

• 00:44 — Deborah Haywood’s background and passion for patient-centric efficiency
• 02:07 — Causes and impacts of fragmentation in healthcare logistics
• 04:27 — What integration looks like in practice and why IT systems matter
• 07:10 — Central vs. local supply chain decision-making
• 09:26 — Using analytics, seasonality, and just-in-time principles in forecasting and supply chain planning
• 12:45 — How analytics tools enable better planning and reliability at both the supplier and provider levels
• 15:14 — Final thoughts on technology, business continuity, and the future of supply chain in healthcare

Conclusion

This episode underscores the healthcare industry’s urgent need to evolve from fragmented, reactive supply models to predictive, analytics-powered logistics, especially as care moves outside traditional hospital walls. Deborah Haywood emphasizes that technology integration—both at supplier and provider levels—is now indispensable for managing complexity, driving efficiency, and ultimately ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care wherever they are. The message is clear: strategic forecasting, flexible formularies, and robust analytics are no longer optional—they are the backbone of a resilient, future-focused health system supply chain.