How to overcome WIC challenges with streamlined supply ordering

The program serves approximately 43% of all infants born in the U.S., not to mention 20% of all children ages 1-4.¹

It’s no secret that WIC is both valuable and crucial for families around the country. However, as with any large-scale program, WIC comes with noteworthy challenges — and that means government purchasers and customers need fast, effective solutions.

For many, the answer is streamlined supply ordering paired with expert service. Read on to see how this simple fix can address some of the most significant challenges in WIC.

The Ongoing Impact of WIC

As a short-term intervention program improving the health of women, infants and children, WIC plays a critical role in everything from nutrition education and healthcare screenings. It’s been shown to:²

• Reduce premature births and low/very low birth-weight babies.
• Reduce fetal and infant deaths.
• Reduce child food insecurity by 20%.³
• Increase pregnant women’s consumption of key nutrients including iron, calcium and Vitamins A and C.
• Increase access to regular healthcare.

For these reasons and more, McKesson Medical-Surgical Government Solutions is proud to support WIC and everyone who makes it happen, from government purchasers to community clinicians.

WIC Goals and Challenges

Since its official launch in 1974, WIC has expanded its goals to better serve families across the country. While this has led to significant achievements like those listed above, it has also introduced challenges for providers and government purchasers.

Here’s a look at WIC goals and associated challenges:

Goals

Improved Care

WIC seeks to promote better health among mothers and their children,⁴ acting as a gateway to prenatal, obstetric, maternal and pediatric care. For the responsible providers and orderers, this means understanding which products enable WIC-covered care and how to prepare for the necessary services.

Expanded Awareness

WIC is intended to help reduce food insecurity, promote breastfeeding and protect overall health — but this is only possible if people actually take advantage of the program.

Streamlined Services

One of the top goals of WIC is to leverage healthcare referrals to safeguard the health of women, infants and children. That includes screenings and referrals addressing dental care, smoking cessation, drug and abuse counseling, immunizations and more.

Challenges

Product Ordering and Management

Product ordering is challenging enough given supply chain disruptions and rising prices, but WIC adds new considerations. Providers are often left wondering what they need and in what amounts — and, perhaps most importantly, how to get it. This is especially true in decentralized scenarios, in which products need to be delivered to dozens of locations in varying amounts.

Nuanced Government Purchasing

Government purchasing introduces challenges around product compliance, regulatory requirements, limited budgets and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. The result is often extra research and audit work, which can delay turnaround times and potentially impede WIC efforts.

Communication Barriers

With many eligible mothers and children not yet enrolled, providers and other stakeholders must take an active role in sharing key information. However, this can be challenging when providers don’t fully understand what they need to offer or how families should take advantage of these opportunities.

Workflow Management

One study found that healthcare providers⁵ had a positive view of WIC but noted challenges in workflow coordination. The problem is that organizing, managing and tracking screenings and referrals can quickly become complicated at scale — particularly without workflow management solutions including electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Overcoming WIC Obstacles

You can’t support eligible families if you don’t have the right support — and that’s why it is important overcome to WIC challenges by choosing the right supply partner.

Here’s how McKesson Medical-Surgical Government Solutions (MMSGS) supports your WIC operations:

Simplifying Your Operations

At MMSGS, our goal is to simplify your operations so you can focus on supporting WIC programs. To do this, we act as a single source for supply ordering and delivery needs. That means you can get everyday supplies as well as WIC products like breast pumps, hemoglobin tests and specialty nutrition formulas available through GPOs and Co-ops. We’ll also help you organize separate deliveries across multiple locations where necessary.

This creates significant value for government procurement specialists, WIC providers, logistics experts at public hospitals and more. Single-source ordering means fewer challenges with product and workflow management — and it simplifies communication, too.

Supporting Your Unique Needs

Supporting a WIC program may bring numerous unique needs, particularly when it comes to government ordering. MMSGS provides specialized government support and customized product formularies to address all of this and more, enabling you to navigate nuances, challenges, budget constraints and compliance questions. If you need support, a McKesson Medical-Surgical Government Solutions WIC Specialist is always a phone call away.

This also means you’ll be in a better position to support your government entity’s ESG efforts by helping align your operations with measurable social needs. This can help contribute to the success of your organization and the communities you serve.

Maximize Your WIC Impact

WIC has tremendous value for families across the country. It doesn’t just support people financially; it’s capable of saving lives. While goals like minimizing food insecurity and encouraging breastfeeding can present significant challenges, it’s important to focus on how much good can come from the right solutions.

As a proud supporter of WIC and National Breastfeeding Month, we’re here to help you make this program work for your community. Whether you’re a clinician, logistics employee or government procurement specialist, MMSGS can help reach your goals for WIC and beyond. From streamlined, flexible supply ordering to personalized, expert support, we’re ready to be your partner in promoting better health, nutrition and care for all.

To learn more about our comprehensive WIC offering, please contact:

Kristen Zellmer

Field Vice President, Government Solutions Community Programs

310.795.1134 | kristen.zellmer@mckesson.com

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