In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the need for efficiency, transparency, and smarter supply chain solutions has never been more critical. At MultiCare, a leading not-for-profit health system with facilities spanning across Washington State, that challenge came into sharp focus in their freestanding emergency departments and off-campus sites. The solution? VueStat, VueMed’s new electronic shelf label (ESL) and inventory management system.
The Problem: Manual Labor, Limited Visibility, and Unsustainable Processes
Before implementing VueStat, MultiCare’s supply chain team was stretched thin. Two team members were driving to five separate sites daily, spending up to four hours in transit just to check supplies, place manual orders, and manage physical inventory. This approach not only wasted valuable labor hours but left little room for strategic process improvement.
As Alex Vandenbroek, MultiCare’s Supply Chain Operations Manager, explained:
“They were doing a lot of physical manual labor when a lot of our supply chain work is gearing towards being data-driven. We knew we had to evolve.”
The Solution: VueStat’s Real-Time, Scalable Inventory Control
VueStat’s electronic shelf labels and software provided the breakthrough MultiCare needed. With ESLs wirelessly connected across multiple locations, the system gave instant visibility into inventory levels—from Bremerton to Spokane.
Each label displays real-time product data, par levels, and even enables staff to signal replenishment with a single button press.
“If the bin is below half, you press the button,” said VueMed’s Director of Product Development, Guy Russell. “The system then changes the screen color, flags it for reordering, and can even display a substitute product if the original item is backordered or discontinued.”
This is more than a Kanban-style update—it’s a communication channel between clinicians and supply chain that enhances trust and accuracy system-wide.
The Impact: Time Saved, Stockouts Reduced, Staff Empowered
The transformation was immediate.
Instead of spending hours driving, MultiCare’s supply chain staff are now redeployed to higher-value activities—like optimizing PAR levels, managing vendor projects, and supporting frontline clinical teams.
“They’ve gone from sustaining operations to driving strategic improvements,” Alex said. “We’ve reduced manual bin scanning time by over 50%, which has had a huge impact.”
The system has also dramatically improved transparency for clinicians. Real-time indicators of stock status and substitutes eliminate confusion and build confidence.
“Now, if something is on backorder, they can see it on the label. That’s huge,” Alex added. “We’re not just improving logistics. We’re building trust.”
Seamless Integration with Workday and ERP Systems
With VueStat, integration is effortless. Substitutes and backorders sync automatically with MultiCare’s ERP system (Workday), reducing administrative burden and ensuring up-to-date label data at all times.
“If an item is backordered, the substitute item appears automatically,” said Guy. “No manual entry. No guesswork. It just works.”
A Scalable Model for the Future of Healthcare
What started with a few freestanding EDs is now scaling rapidly. MultiCare is on track to expand VueStat to all 49 of its urgent care centers and beyond.
“Healthcare is shifting away from hospitals and toward retail-like care. VueStat gives us the flexibility and control to support that growth,” Alex explained.
Even travel nurses and new staff are quickly adapting to the system, thanks to its intuitive design and clear labeling. As Alex shared,
“We had one nurse call it ‘the blue doohickey with the yellow cap.’ And thanks to VueStat, she could type that in and find it instantly. It’s that user-friendly.”
Why VueStat Works
VueStat succeeds because it’s built with flexibility, integration, and usability in mind. From blinking LEDs and voice-activated commands that help staff find hard-to-locate supplies to instant visibility into backorders, it brings a new level of clarity to a historically complex space.
But just as importantly, it enables healthcare organizations to reallocate labor, improve accuracy, and build cross-functional trust—turning supply chain teams from reactive drivers into proactive strategists.
Ready to Transform Your Healthcare Supply Chain?
If you’re facing similar challenges—manual tracking, disconnected teams, and rising pressure to do more with less—VueStat could be the game-changer you’re looking for. As MultiCare’s story shows, the path to scalable, smart, and sustainable inventory management starts with the right technology partner.
👉 Learn more about VueStat and request a demo today.
