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Article Category: Highlights

Supply Chain Keeps Care Moving with WellBin

Published on June 23, 2025

Last updated 10:37 AM June 23, 2025

Wellstar team member accesses patient supplies

Behind every successful patient interaction is a supply chain that works quietly but powerfully in the background. The Wellstar supply chain team uncovered critical gaps in our supply room processes—from expired products and unused inventory to time-consuming manual counts and inconsistent practices across departments. These challenges not only impacted efficiency and cost, but also posed risks to patient safety and regulatory compliance if left unaddressed.

The WellBin story

Managing medical supplies across a health system the size of Wellstar is a complex task. Led by Michael McCullough, senior vice president of supply chain at Wellstar, the supply chain team completed an internal analysis revealing that inefficiencies drove up labor and distribution costs due to rush orders, excess handling and overall waste. These challenges increased the risk of stockouts and overstocking, frustrated clinicians who had to compensate for supply gaps and raised the potential for canceled surgical cases.

One major issue was expired products caused by poor inventory rotation, which posed risks to both compliance and patient care. The team also found that 30% of items in supply rooms were “no-move”—sitting unused on shelves and resulting in wasted space and unnecessary costs.

Additionally, supplies ordered in bulk arrived in boxes, causing overstocks and failing to meet the Joint Commission’s guidelines for avoiding corrugated cardboard on patient floors. Manual supply counting consumed hours of team member time, often leading to inaccuracies and delays. The lack of standardized processes across departments created imbalanced stock levels, while reliance on “tribal knowledge” made it difficult to consistently manage supplies and train new team members. Addressing these pain points became a critical priority for the team as they looked to improve supply chain management across the system.

Display of carefully organized medical supplies in bins on shelves


Streamlining supplies with WellBin

To tackle these problems, Wellstar rolled out an innovative medical supply system called WellBin—Wellstar’s version of the BlueBin system—which was tailored to our supply chain workflows and patient care standards. This two-bin Kanban system is customized and designed around our clinicians’ needs, ensuring they have the right amount of supplies, exactly when they need them. To achieve this, clinicians follow three simple steps:

  1. Pull supplies from the front bin.
  2. Pull the full bin from the back to the front when the front bin is empty.
  3. Put the empty bin in the designated area on top of the rack.

By following this simple process every time, our supply rooms remain organized, efficient and consistently stocked with everything clinicians need. Supplies rarely expire, stockouts are uncommon and waste is significantly reduced.

Wellstar and BlueBin worked hand-in-hand to tailor WellBin with key customizations that support the unique needs of our teams. These include:

Optimized inventory levels

While BlueBin recommends three to five days of inventory, Wellstar increased on-hand stock levels to eight days. This ensures clinical teams always have what they need and reduces costs related to frequent reordering.

Silver cart supply delivery

Supplies from our Consolidated Service Center (CSC) are grouped by supply room and delivered on carts rather than pallets. This eliminates the need for team members to spend up to 90 minutes per day breaking down pallets and reduces cardboard waste on patient floors—supporting Joint Commission compliance.

In-room staging

Instead of using a centralized staging area for replenishment, Wellstar processes replenishment directly within supply rooms—reducing lost bins, excess handling and space constraints.

Dedicated implementation team

Rather than relying on external teams for setup, Wellstar worked with BlueBin to train our own teams to manage builds and maintenance. This approach ensures long-term sustainability, enables faster issue resolution and cuts implementation costs by 50%.

“WellBin transformed our supply chain from a reactive, inefficient process to a proactive and clinician-friendly system,” said Jeremy Stewart, supply chain lean manager at Wellstar.

Team member at work delivering medical supplies


WellBin makes a difference

Since implementing the WellBin system, Wellstar has seen significant improvements across the supply chain. Expired products have been reduced significantly, boosting patient safety and ensuring better compliance. The system has eliminated time-consuming manual counts, freeing up team member hours and increasing overall efficiency. By standardizing processes across departments, WellBin has minimized reliance on tribal knowledge. This makes it easier for contract and float nurses to find the supplies they need quickly.

Clinician satisfaction has improved, and fewer stockouts mean smoother patient care without interruptions. The reduction in waste has also led to cost savings and stronger regulatory compliance.

“Before WellBin, we were constantly scrambling for supplies,” said Kori Rippet, radiology manager at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. “Now, everything is where it should be, and our team can focus on patient care instead of inventory.”

Lessons learned

Implementing WellBin has taught us valuable lessons about improving supply chain management at Wellstar. Clinician involvement proved critical to the smooth adoption of new processes. Customizing BlueBin’s system into WellBin allowed us to better meet Wellstar’s unique needs and boosted team member engagement. Using actionable data and analytics helped the team make informed adjustments and drive continuous improvement. Ongoing training for on-site teams has supported compliance and proper system use. Proactive Gemba walks—on-site observations of workflow in action—by the supply chain team have enabled real-time problem solving right where it matters most.

"WellBin didn’t just optimize our inventory—it empowered our teams to deliver better care,” said Wellstar CSC Executive Director Adam Flood. “By reducing waste, improving efficiency and enhancing team member satisfaction, WellBin has become a cornerstone of Wellstar’s operational excellence.”

WellBin has been installed at Wellstar Kennestone, Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Paulding, Wellstar Douglas, Wellstar Spalding and Wellstar Sylvan Grove Medical Centers. Installation is underway at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, Wellstar Roosevelt, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Wellstar Windy Hill. Wellstar Health Parks are slated for WellBin in 2026.

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Catalyst by Wellstar Joins Health Connect South to Drive Healthcare Innovation

ATLANTA – Healthcare leaders from across the Southeast convened at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta Wednesday for the 12th annual Health Connect South summit, a high-energy gathering that showcased the region’s brightest minds and boldest ideas in health innovation.

The summit drew hundreds of professionals from across the healthcare spectrum—from hospital systems and research institutions to startups and government agencies—all united by a shared mission: to advance health through collaboration.

One of the day’s standout sessions was the panel “Innovation and the Changing Face of Healthcare Delivery,” which brought together a dynamic mix of voices leading change in the industry. The panel featured Moses Ike, venture principal at Catalyst by Wellstar; Jesse Goodwin, PhD, chief innovation officer at the Medical University of South Carolina; and Chris Lee, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Huxley Medical. The discussion was moderated by Greg Jungles, HealthTech catalyst at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC).

The conversation tackled some of the most pressing questions in healthcare today: How do we deliver care more efficiently? How can startups and health systems work together to scale innovation? And what role does venture capital play in shaping the next generation of health solutions?

“Innovation isn’t just about the latest app or device—it’s about reimagining how we care for people,” said Ike. “It’s about building systems that are smarter, faster and more compassionate.” 

As principal of venture at Catalyst by Wellstar, Ike is at the forefront of healthcare investment strategy. He leads efforts to identify and support early-stage startups that are tackling real-world challenges in health-tech, healthcare services and business efficiency, including Rheaply, CalmWave and Gabbi.

“We’re not just investing in companies—we’re investing in the future of care,” Ike added. 

Catalyst by Wellstar, launched by Wellstar Health System, manages a $100 million venture fund, making it one of the largest early-stage, multi-sector healthcare corporate venture funds in the country. The fund is designed to fuel cross-industry solutions that can transform how care is delivered, accessed and experienced.

Throughout the panel, speakers emphasized the Southeast’s growing role as a hub for health innovation. From Atlanta’s thriving startup ecosystem to Charleston’s research-driven medical community, the region is increasingly seen as fertile ground for bold ideas and scalable solutions.

“This panel showcased the incredible momentum in our region—from academic institutions to venture-backed startups—all working together to transform healthcare,” said Jungles.

Known as the largest healthcare gathering in the Southeast, Health Connect South has built a reputation as a launchpad for new partnerships and transformative conversations. This year’s theme centered on breaking down silos and building bridges across disciplines to shape the future of care.

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Panelists speaking at Health Connect South 2025

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Wellstar Leader Addresses Rising Cancer Rates in Younger Women at Health Connect South

At this week’s Health Connect South conference, Dr. Steven McCune, oncology service line physician lead, joined an impactful panel discussion titled “Women First: Collaborating for Better Cancer Care, Redefining Outcomes for the Next Generation.” The conversation brought together Dr. McCune and other regional experts to explore the alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among younger women.

Research shows that women under 50 are 82% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than men in the same age group. Historically, cancer research and treatment have focused primarily on older patients.

“If you come see me for breast cancer, we’re about 10 to 20 years too late,” said Dr. McCune. “We want to work on prevention rather than treatment. This is about working together and collaborating to provide access to care in Georgia.”

Dr. McCune highlighted the Wellstar Center for Genetics —the largest genetic risk assessment program in Georgia—and its focus on identifying younger women at higher risk. Building on that commitment, Wellstar Women’s Health is championing Gabbi, an innovative tool that uses data and technology to expand access to advanced breast cancer risk screening. Supported by Catalyst by Wellstar, a program led by Dr. Hank Capps, Gabbi reflects Wellstar’s commitment to advance healthcare innovation to improve patient outcomes. Wellstar is also partnering with the Medical College of Georgia to train medical students and residents, helping expand the physician workforce and improve access to care across the state.

The panel, moderated by Dr. Kristin Higgins, chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center, featured leading voices in the field, including Dr. Lynn Durham, president and CEO of Georgia CORE, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing oncology research and education.

“We work with health systems throughout the state, and we want to make sure that Georgians are getting the best cancer care they can get,” said Durham. “I’m a three-time cancer survivor and luckily I am cancer-free today because of clinical trials and the incredible care we have right here in Georgia.”

Together, the panelists discussed:

  • The impact of rising cancer rates on younger women.
  • Gaps in care, awareness and research that need to be addressed.
  • Opportunities for health systems, nonprofits and national organizations to collaborate in new ways.

Dr. McCune also stressed the importance of trusted primary care relationships.

“It’s easy to say a person needs to be their own advocate, but I think in the course of a busy day we have to take a step back and listen to people,” McCune said. “The best thing people can do is have a relationship with a primary care doctor where you’ve built a sense of trust.”

By participating in this regional forum, Wellstar continues to elevate its voice in the broader healthcare community—reinforcing our commitment to addressing the toughest challenges in cancer care through innovation, collaboration and compassion.

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A friendly image of ECMO

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Wellstar AirCare Completes First ECMO Patient Transport

When every second counts, having access to advanced technology and expert care can make all the difference. On September 10, Wellstar AirCare completed its first patient transport using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a lifesaving therapy for people with severe heart or lung conditions.

Taking Flight with Lifesaving Technology

For months, Wellstar teams prepared for this moment. Perfusionists, cardiovascular surgeons, flight crews and many others came together to ensure that patients who need ECMO could safely and quickly receive it—even when ground transportation was improbable or impossible.

Their work paid off. This month, AirCare One lifted off with its first ECMO patient on board. The crew worked quickly to stabilize the critically ill cardiovascular patient and minimize bedside time at the referring hospital. Once in the air, they successfully transported the patient to the ECMO center.

“The AirCare and ECMO teams made this success possible through countless hours of planning, education, crew resource management, dry runs, training flights and simulations,” said Zack Lancaster, executive director of Air Medical Transport. “The program is safe, efficient and ready, and it will be a game-changer for many.”

A friendly image of ECMO

What Is ECMO?

ECMO is an advanced therapy that supports patients with serious cardiac or pulmonary conditions such as heart attack or pneumonia. By temporarily taking over the work of the heart and lungs, ECMO gives the body time to heal after trauma, organ failure or in preparation for major surgery.

Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Centers are among the few facilities in Georgia with the expertise and technology needed to provide this advanced treatment.

Expanding Access to Care

The successful AirCare transport marks an important milestone for Wellstar—and for the communities we serve. With the ability to rapidly transport ECMO patients by helicopter, more people across Georgia can reach lifesaving care when they need it most.

“This mission represents a new chapter for AirCare—not only as Wellstar’s dedicated critical care transport team, but also as a trusted regional partner in ECMO patient care,” Lancaster said.

Following the transport, leaders at the referring hospital praised the AirCare team for their professionalism and expertise, noting that Wellstar is now their first choice for advanced cardiovascular ICU and cardiac support transport.

Learn more about Wellstar AirCare.

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