During the chaos created by the Covid-19 pandemic, manufacturers across industries have been forced to adjust to rapid changes in demand for goods ranging from toilet paper to nasal swabs. Their response is an extreme example of episodic demand spikes, which occur seasonally in many industries. Consider florists before Valentine’s Day or candy shops before Halloween. Suppliers generally prepare for these situations by increasing production, price, or both.
How U.S. Health Systems Can Build Capacity to Handle Demand Surges
Hospitals have long struggled with seasonal spikes. Embracing telemedicine, walk-in clinics, and home-based care can help them prepare.
October 04, 2021
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Summary.
The pandemic has highlighted a major problem in U.S. health care: Its brick-and-mortar facilities are ill-prepared to deal with surges in demand. But innovations tested before and during the pandemic show that there are ways to make care capacity more flexible. They include telemedicine, walk-in clinics, home-based care, and value-based payment.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Sharpening Your Business Acumen. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Take your career to the next level by learning business and finance basics, and developing an enterprise mindset.