As medical device manufacturers continue to expand the possibilities of device innovation, increasingly, they look to contract development and manufacturing partners to provide expertise in producing whole or part of the finished device. A 2019 study from Medical Device Outsourcing Reports found that approximately 36% of the cost of goods for medical devices is from outsourced partners, up from 27% in 2015. Therefore, when the importance of critical infrastructure to healthcare is discussed in the face of COVID-19, this often unseen part of the supply chain should not be ignored. In recent weeks, Heraeus Medical Components, a leading contract development and manufacturer, has been working to rise to the challenge of increasing production for its medical device customers. Many of these customers are directly supplying diagnostic, treatment and essential care devices to hospitals during this global pandemic.
Contract Medical Device Manufacturer Heraeus Medical Components Doing its Part to Support the COVID-19 Effort with Diagnostic and Treatment Devices
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota- March 31, 2020- Heraeus Medical Components, one of the industry’s leading contract medical device manufacturers, has expanded efforts at its manufacturing sites around the world to produce critically-needed devices and products needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, Heraeus Medical Components has seen a sharp increase in the demand for products that help treat patients infected with COVID-19. These products include items such as guiding catheters for ventilation procedures, guidewires for IVs, and diagnostic catheters monitoring heart function and fluid levels in the lungs.
Adjusting to the increase in essential care
To help support their customers, the Heraeus Medical Components team has been taking steps to increase materials orders and optimize its production teams. In addition to the implementation of best practices for social distancing, Heraeus has expanded its production workspace and cross-trained staff to support the increased needs for delivery of care. Changes will continue to be made ongoing to ensure Heraeus does its part in protecting and serving those on the front lines in this critical medical device supply chain.
“By design, our role in the healthcare supply chain is not visible to the patient or doctor", says Executive Vice President of Operations Nicolas Schulz, “However, our people understand the importance of their work. They know we are delivering life-sustaining components and products to our customers. We have quickly adjusted our manufacturing environment with both the safety of our staff and production commitments in mind. Each day we are working smarter and harder to keep our teams healthy.”