The disruption of the organ donation supply chain

We have a short memory. Although I am quite confident that there were many more contingencies in place since 9/11, however, once again we are being forced to recognize the fragility of the supply chain when modes of transportation are affected.

Although there are obviously many other modes of transportation that are unaffected, such as ships, rail and truck, there are many other items which actually do get flown with the likes of FedEx, DHL, and others that are now grounded.

Probably one of the things that has the most profound impact -- truly life and death -- has been the transportation of organs for transplant. In Europe, organs for the last week, have been going to those within driving/rail distance wherein the organ's viability is ensured.

It's interesting that as I consider myself to be a Supply Chain expert, that I hadn't actually thought of organ donation as having a very intricate supply chain aspect to it. In fact, considering the limited time for transport, it is probably one of the most complicated supply chain's around.

Firstly, if there is a mistake, it literally means life and death. Because the person on the receiving end, may not live until another organ donor becomes available. In the case of the volcanic ash from Iceland, there are surely dozens of people, whose life is now at risk or perhaps they have even died, because air transport is not available. Of course on the other hand, there are others who may very well be alive, because of the disruption. Waxing philosophically this is an inevitable yin/yang scenario.

But if you think of organ donation as an end-to-end Supply Chain issue consider these points.

• you never know when your "product" will become available
• you have multiple products coming from the same "supplier", which are going to different destinations, with a limited shelf life -- with the shelf life for each "product" being somewhat different.
• you need to obtain the "product" from the "supplier" with specialists and each extraction requires a different approach. Furthermore, until the "product" is actually viewed/extracted, its viability is unknown
  
• when it is known that a "product" is becoming available, there is a search to find who the customer is who is most in need. The customer could be a few kilometers/miles away or possibly hundreds
• As the customer is identified, there is a need to assemble specialists at the "customer's" location for "installation" of the part
• And during this entire time, the actual logistics for the transport will need to be put in place in a last minute scenario, with transportation "experts" accompanying the part/product

I know that putting life/death scenarios into these simplistic supply chain terms may seem a little harsh, but the reality is that this is exactly what it is. It makes me think that in reality, everything we touch, everything we deal with is somehow intertwined with the supply chain, and although I had already encompassed most of the world and activities in that thought process, I had missed organ donation as part of the vast world of supply chain.

I feel sorry for those who have lost their opportunity for a transplant and may die because of it. On the other hand, one can understand that there may be some rejoicing by some that the volcanic eruption in Iceland occurred.

Let's hope that the wind shifts soon, and that the supply chain world of organ donations can begin to deliver to those most in need.