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Review Paper | Management | Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026 | Pages: 901 - 913 | India
Cost Leakage Points in Hospital Supply Chain and Control Methods: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Abstract: The hospital supply chain represents a significant portion of healthcare operational expenditures, yet it is notoriously plagued by systemic inefficiencies and hidden cost leakage. Cost leakage points-such as expired inventory, off-contract purchasing, phantom stocks, and inter-departmental hoarding-drain critical financial resources that could otherwise be allocated to patient care. This comprehensive literature review examines the theoretical and practical underpinnings of cost leakage within medical supply networks and proposes the integration of advanced control systems to mitigate these financial losses. By synthesizing principles from robust data-driven iterative control, synthetic causal inference, and game-theoretic multi-agent modelling, this paper bridges the gap between industrial systems engineering and healthcare administration. The findings suggest that adopting continuous, mathematically rigorous control frameworks can dynamically suppress supply chain disturbances, optimize inventory routing, and secure data infrastructures against malicious interference. Ultimately, this review provides a strategic roadmap for modernizing hospital supply chain management through advanced algorithmic interventions.
Keywords: Hospital supply chain, Cost leakage, Procurement inefficiency, ABC-VED analysis, Digital twin technology, Kaizen
How to Cite?: Sanjay Singh, Sukhbir Singh Kapoor, "Cost Leakage Points in Hospital Supply Chain and Control Methods: A Comprehensive Literature Review", Volume 15 Issue 5, May 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 901-913, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26513182941, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26513182941