Surge in supply chain shortages disrupting hospital operations

Scripps Health has about eight times more medical devices and supplies on backorder than the integrated nonprofit health system had in 2019.

San Diego, California-based Scripps has been managing shortages in ligatures and oxygenators that stop bleeding, catheters used in heart surgery and urology and custom procedure trays and surgical packs, among other things.

While providers, distributors and manufacturers have grappled with supply chain…