Deborah Kaplan

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology made a comeback in recent years, in retail, airline logistics and baggage tracking and in healthcare.
Now it’s being used in the fight against COVID-19.
Microchips embedded in RFID tags can track and authenticate the vaccine journey from manufacturing to clinical site, along with antibody test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical equipment and high value drug treatments.
RFID is even monitoring some healthcare clinicians' use of h...

Early data from China suggested that CT scans of the lungs might be used to diagnose COVID-19. Recommendations to use CT scans came from both published and anecdotal reports, notes Harold Litt, M.D., Ph.D., division chief of cardiothoracic imaging at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. “Colleagues of mine (in China) told me what their policies were. They were scanning everyone who showed up at the hospital because at that moment, they didn...

Jen Singer became sick with an unidentified respiratory illness while visiting Seattle in February, before many knew enough to be worried about COVID-19. The fever and coughing delayed the 53-year-old’s trip back home to New Jersey.
During an April telehealth visit, Singer didn’t have traditional COVID-19 symptoms. She felt abdominal fullness and had difficulty breathing when climbing stairs. Suspecting a gallbladder issue, the doctor se...

The federal government granted a temporary waiver to use non-compliant HIPAA platforms during the emergency period. While that was helpful to get these telehealth initiatives off the ground for some healthcare organizations, long-term it puts not only patients at risk but also healthcare systems. Not all video platforms are equipped with security measures that protect personal health information. Patients may not realize that their connections could be exposing their medical records and their...

In the hopes of slowing the spread of coronavirus and flattening the curve, many cities and states are asking people to stay at home for the time being. One silver lining is that many people may now have time to take care of to-do-list tasks or other things they’ve wanted to accomplish but didn’t have the time.
Some of these are more fun than others, but by taking breaks in between chores and listening to music or podcasts at the same time, sometimes, the to-do list can be completed more effe...

While many of us are adjusting to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, parents are juggling their daily work activities with caring for their children. If you are working from home (WFH), you may have calls to make, emails to send or a video call to dial into while you try to keep your kids safely occupied.
There is a bright side to sheltering in place while working from home, and it’s not just the cozy family togetherness. You can get a jump on some of the home organizing proje...

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the supply chain to the forefront, when it often operates behind the scenes. Companies are realizing the importance of the supply chain as more than just a tactical role. It can and should be used as a competitive advantage. Of course supply chain is only a competitive advantage if it’s optimized and smartly run. Otherwise it’s a drain on the corporate spreadsheet and a source of frustration.

The good news about the pandemic, if there is one, is the opportunity f...

Whether companies ship items in high volumes or just occasionally, logistics can contribute a large percentage of costs. One consideration when looking at the annual budget is ensuring the company has a cost-effective logistics operation. Management and logistics are a big part of the supply chain, and fortunately, many areas can be trimmed and tweaked to work more efficiently. But it does take thought and understanding, which can be achieved through logistics consulting and an audit on your ...

Robots. Software applications. Smart machines. Internet of technology. All these modes of logistics automation can make a major difference in a logistics company’s efficiency and operations, resulting in lower costs. Companies don’t have to use every method of logistics consulting available to take advantage of the benefits of logistics automation. But they should know what’s available and formulate a plan to find the methods that make the most sense for their situation.
Logistics automation ...

If board rooms weren’t talking or panicked about their supply chain before the COVID-19 pandemic, that was a sign their supply chain worked well. Or well enough. The supply chain took on new importance during the crisis, for more than just hospitals seeking PPE. Factories in China and other hard-hit countries slowed or halted production of items ranging from pharmaceutical products and iPhones, to raw materials like resin, cardboard and steel.
It wasn’t just factories closing. The pandemic im...

No one knows what the new normal will look like for consumers, but we’re seeing some clues. Here’s one thing we know: consumer behavior won’t look the same as it did in early 2020. Companies involved in retail, e-commerce and logistics should be on their toes for shifts in consumer behavior that will impact their business. With vaccines still in development, and herd immunity farther away, consumer behavior in e-commerce, retail, grocery shopping and restaurant dining will change as everythin...

Gojo Industries, which makes Purell, builds automated hand sanitizer dispensers in the U.S. The devices rely on an electronic input made in China. But in early March, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) turned down Gojo's tariff exemption request for the specific part needed for its dispensers, just before President Donald Trump declared a national emergency due to COVID-19.
The government later reversed its decision and waived the tariff after a senator from Ohio, where Gojo Industries is b...

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the majority of supply chains on some level. A recent poll from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed that more than 80% of companies expect an impact from a pandemic disruption, and almost 75% are already reporting supply chain disruptions from related transportation issues. Some will experience a financial impact, with decreased revenue targets. For others it’s longer lead times to receive finished products or imported parts, due to diminished sourcing a...

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more employees were demanding family-friendly policies at their workplaces—everything from paid parental leave to flexible scheduling. As organizations implement these policies, they are understandably focused on the details of the rollout itself. But the communication around the policies are equally important. Change can bring confusion and stress, and without a solid communication plan, new programs aimed at improving corporate culture can have th...