Improving Stanford Blood Center's Platelet Supply Chain

This new case study offers an insider view of Stanford Blood Center’s crucial initiative for improving processes associated with the supply of platelets, crucial blood products with a short five-day shelf-life and volatile demand patterns. Walking through the entire platelet supply chain--collection, processing, testing, delivery, and more--it helps readers assess significant process flaws that could have led to the loss of donors and life-threatening platelet shortages. Throughout, it focuses on realistic issues and challenges, offering exceptional value to both students and practitioners. Authors: Yenho Thomas Chung, LG CNS Entrue Consulting Partners; Feryal Erhun, Stanford University; Tim Kraft, University of Virginia.