The Integrated Distribution Center makes an impact at Northwell Health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Northwell Health’s Integrated Distribution Center (IDC) located in Bethpage, NY serves a vital role within the organization, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The distribution center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, stocks nearly 3,000 unique medical supplies- including personal protective equipment (PPE) and delivers them to 23 Northwell hospitals. It has more than 100 team members who work above and beyond to gather, pack and ship supplies all year round.

Before the pandemic, the center would stock 20 to 30 days’ worth of medical supplies. But with the increase demand of supplies and PPE, the center stocks 90 to 120 days of supplies to prevent any shortages. From the very beginning of the pandemic to now, our hospitals and employees are fully provided with PPE from the distribution center to ensure their safety and that of our patients and community. And now, with the vaccine being administered, the distribution center holds millions of syringes as well.

“Throughout this pandemic, there has been many heartfelt accounts of patients leaving Northwell hospitals with team members cheering and clapping – celebrating Northwell patients’ quick recoveries,” says Paul Spodek, assistant vice president of the Supply Chain Distribution & Logistics Integrated Distribution Center. “When we step back and look at those happy pictures and videos, we notice the isolation gowns, N95s, ear loop masks, etc., all worn by patients and hospital staff alike, every IDC associate knows that all those supplies came from us.”

Each role within the distribution center is unique and valuable to our organization. Our team members all make a difference whether they work the inbound shift where they receive materials and stock shelves to the outbound shifts who picks, packs and load trucks. The IDC also has a support staff who orders and counts supplies and returns, makes sure the distribution center does not run out of materials and manages inventory expiration dates and recalls- they make a difference. “Every IDC team member feels the connection of their role in quality patient care in every Northwell hospital. This connection is the reason why more than 100 team members at IDC have come to work every day during this pandemic and continue to feel great pride in our role in quality patient care,” says Paul. The IDC also creating a better environment for our community. They remove most cardboard and send it to recycle before shipping to our hospitals. The distribution center is on target to recycle more than 220 tons of cardboard in 2020.

The impact and work that our center has on our healthcare heroes and patients is incredible. “As a distribution center associate, and being part of the supply chain, it is a privilege to be helping our doctors, nurses, and the rest of our Northwell heroes by supplying them all the PPE and equipment’ they need to help fight this deadly pandemic,” says Ildebrano Molina.

The teamwork, hard work and dedication of the distribution center showcases the importance of Northwell values. “My entire career has revolved around logistics and distribution but what makes working for Northwell Health`s Distribution Center different is the sense of teamwork and knowing that I am doing something positive for the community that I live in,” says Daniel Pauly, operations manager at the Integrated Distribution Center. “Especially throughout the pandemic, I felt a strong sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that my contribution aided thousands of individuals.”

We are proud of the work that the distribution center has done and continuing to do for our organization and patients.

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