A Scoping Review of Supply Chain Management Systems for Point of Care Diagnostic Services: Optimising COVID-19 Testing Capacity in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

Background: Point of care (POC) testing has enabled rapid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis in resource-limited settings with limited laboratory infrastructure and high disease burden. However, the accessibility of the tests is not optimal in these settings. This scoping review mapped evidence on supply chain management (SCM) systems for POC diagnostic services to reveal evidence that can help guide future research and inform the improved implementation of SARS-CoV-2 POC diagnostics in resource-limited settings. Methodology: This scoping review was guided by an adapted version of the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. We searched the following electronic databases: Medline Ovid, Medline EBSCO, Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science and EBSCOHost. We also searched grey literature in the form of dissertations/theses, conference proceedings, websites of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation and government reports. A search summary table was used to test the efficacy of the search strategy. The quality of the included studies was appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018. Results: We retrieved 1206 articles (databases n = 1192, grey literature n = 14). Of these, 31 articles were included following abstract and full-text screening. Fifteen were primary studies conducted in LMICs, and 16 were reviews. The following themes emerged from the included articles: availability and accessibility of POC diagnostic services; reasons for stockouts of POC diagnostic tests (procurement, storage, distribution, inventory management and quality assurance) and human resources capacity in POC diagnostic services. Of the 31 eligible articles, 15 underwent methodological quality appraisal with scores between 90% and 100%. Conclusions: Our findings revealed limited published research on SCM systems for POC diagnostic services globally. We recommend primary studies aimed at investigating the barriers and enablers of SCM systems for POC diagnostic services for highly infectious pathogens such SARS-CoV-2 in high disease-burdened settings with limited laboratory infrastructures.

Study protocol for developing a novel approach for improving supply chain management for SARS-CoV-2 point of care diagnostic services in resource-limited settings: a case study of Mopani District in Limpopo province, South Africa

“…This study was guided by results of a scoping review. 12 Following the scoping review, we propose a multiphase mixed-method study, which will be implemented in three phases. The results of the scoping review revealed that for the continuum of POC diagnostic services, POC diagnostic tests must be available and accessible to all who need them through a sustainable SCM system which is a multi-faceted system influenced by several factors.…”

“…12 The scoping review also revealed that there is limited published research on SCM of POC diagnostic services in resourcelimited settings and that there are currently no primary studies on the SCM systems of COVID-19 POC diagnostic services. 12 In phase 1, we will perform a geospatial analysis to investigate the spatial distribution of COVID-19 testing services. In phase 2, we will perform an audit of POC diagnostic services including its supply chain to evaluate the effect of SCM on accessibility of COVID-19 POC diagnostics services and reveal SCM barriers and enablers of accessibility of COVID-19 POC diagnostic services.…”

“…This study was guided by results of a scoping review 12. Following the scoping review, we propose a multiphase mixed-method study, which will be implemented in three phases.…”

“…The results of the scoping review revealed that for the continuum of POC diagnostic services, POC diagnostic tests must be available and accessible to all who need them through a sustainable SCM system which is a multi-faceted system influenced by several factors 12. The scoping review also revealed that there is limited published research on SCM of POC diagnostic services in resource-limited settings and that there are currently no primary studies on the SCM systems of COVID-19 POC diagnostic services 12. In phase 1, we will perform a geospatial analysis to investigate the spatial distribution of COVID-19 testing services.…”

Implementation Science: Bridging the Gap between Point-of-Care Diagnostics Research and Practice

“…One of the contributing factors for equitable accessibility, distribution and availability of POC tests is the agility of supply chain management systems. Maluleke et al, 2021, conducted a scoping review to systematically map evidence on supply chain management systems for POC diagnostics services with a focus on optimising the SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity in resource-limited settings [ 7 ]. The results of the review showed has showed that there is limited research evidence on POC diagnostics supply chain management systems globally.…”