US healthcare provider to trial UPS’ drone delivery network
UPS has announced a drone logistics project with Kaiser Permanente, a leading U.S. healthcare provider and nonprofit health plan.
The pilot will explore ways UPS Flight Forward could help transport healthcare supplies between buildings at Kaiser Permanente medical campuses in its 39-hospital network.
The project will determine the extent to which drone transportation on Kaiser Permanente hospital campuses will provide opportunities to avoid roadway delays, increase medical distribution efficiency, lower costs and improve the patient experience.
“We are thrilled to have Kaiser Permanente realise the benefits of this drone delivery network,” said David Abney, UPS chairman and chief executive officer. “When you look at all the lives touched by this organisation, having the ability to create more efficient, timely transport of supplies can make a huge difference when speed of delivery is a critical factor.”
Kaiser Permanente has approximately 12.2 million plan members across eight states and the District of Columbia. The organisation continually deploys technology to connect care teams, including primary care doctors, specialists, nurses, lab and radiology technicians, pharmacists, and therapists — enabling collaboration and coordinated care for faster diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
“We move millions of supplies and equipment in and around our 75 million square feet of medical space and to the homes of our 12.4 million members,” said Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson. “This drone project will allow us to think into the future about additional possibilities of perfecting logistics and meeting the ever-growing demands on our enterprise.”
