Managing Of Hospital Medical Supplies

Healthcare organizations work extremely hard to contain the cost of the medical supplies that are required for appropriate patient care. With the cost of these supplies constantly rising, the management of the supplies, become more and more important. New systems are constantly being implemented to help track the supplies that are used, but this is a very difficult thing to do in a hospital or clinic setting.

Hospital medical supplies cover an extremely wide array of articles. Just a few of the supplies are dressing change IV kits, IV care kits, IV tubing's, IV catheters, and gauze. The number of supplies that are tracked are endless. Medical staff have a long history of not being the greatest at charging for these supplies. They have patient care on their minds and the charging of supplies is not high on their priority list.

Each facility has its own system for tracking of supplies and most of the time it is the size of the facility that determines how complex this system is. Education of the staff is also highly important when it comes to the documentation of supplies used. One of the simplest of systems used to track the medical supplies is by the sticker system. This consists of a coded sticky tag on each article that is to be removed and placed on a patient's charge sheet when the item is used.

Over the years, there have been many systems tried in order to make sure these items where charged for. Many times these systems are not an improvement over what was being used. The cost of supplies that are not documented for charge are lost revenue for the hospital.

It is almost impossible to determine waste, reorder, and replenish supplies, if the supplies are not measured and charged for. There is now a new system that some facilities are trying in order to accomplish the control of supplies. A Radio Frequency Identification system, works by the placement of radio tags on the supplies. The system can then track the supplies where ever they go. This system has proven to work better to identify the article and the last user of the supply, which reduces the inventory loss.

This is just another system that is being tried in order to manage hospital medical supplies. The answer to the problems with the tracking of these supplies is not an easy one, especially when you have staff and patients both involved in the mix. The new health laws and money cuts, only add to this mixture and makes the management of medical supplies even more important.

For The Love Of Disposable Medical Supplies

The enforcement of infection prevention regulations and the increase in the volume of procedures that are done at hospitals and out-patient facilities, is increasing the demand for disposable medical supplies. Because of the increase in the global demand, the manufacturers are seeing an increase in the orders for these supplies and the average annual growth rate is constantly going up.

The increase that is being seen in the end-stage kidney failure patients, is causing a rise in the therapeutic treatment of dialysis. The disposable dialysis supplies has seen the fastest increases in global demand. Medication delivery is another area that is seeing a fast growth for disposable medical supplies.

A very well-known form of the disposable medical supplies is the gloves. Forty years ago, it was not uncommon to have only a box or two of gloves in a hospital. Gloves were only worn when the clean-up was extremely bad. Today, the staff at a hospital wear gloves when doing almost everything.

Different types of gloves are available, such as NitriSkin Plus Nitrile Sterile Surgical gloves. These gloves are available in an assortment of sizes and are latex and powder free. The NitriSkin Plus gloves are approved for use with Chemotherapy drugs. Because of the soft, highly elastic formulation of the gloves, they offer a great deal of tactile sensitivity.

Gloves Nitrile/Aloe vera gloves, sooth and moisturize hands. These are powder free and recommended for areas that involve a lot of wear and tear on gloves, such as the emergency room or trauma units. The Nitrile/Aloe vera gloves have greater resistance than the latex or vinyl gloves. This is just a couple of the types of gloves available for use. There are exam gloves, vinyl gloves, latex free exam gloves, and individually packaged sterile gloves for surgery and other procedures.

Disposable gloves are only one of the types of disposable medical supplies that are available. Syringes, needles, pillowcases, pillows, thermometer covers, sharp containers, and the list goes on and on. Always check the protocols at the facility, to know the appropriate manner to dispose of the these supplies. Safety is the most important thing to take into consideration. There are usually special waste bins designated for the disposal of medical supplies, that reduce the chance of someone getting hurt.

The Changing Of The Medication World With Prefilled Syringes

The medical field has certainly changed over the years and one of the most important areas that we have seen change, is with the dispensing of medications. Before 1980, prefilled syringes were never seen. Because of the changing of the medication systems all over the world, the prefilled syringes have certainly increased the accuracy in dosing and made it more convenient for the nurses and patients.

Not all medications are made available in prefilled syringes at this time, but some available ones are heparin flushes and normal saline flushes, which are used to flush infusion locks. Posiflush Heparin flushes are available in 3 or 5 ml 10 unit BD heparin lock flush syringes or 100 unit BD heparin lock flush syringes. These syringes are latex and preservative free. They are cost effective alternatives to the vial-based systems. The use of these prefilled syringes allow for better care practices with IV therapy. The Posiflush heparin flushes come 30/box.

Posiflush Sodium Chloride prefilled syringes are available in 3, 5, and 10 ml syringes. These are latex and preservative free and provide convenient, reliable, and cost effective alternatives to the vial based system. These are available 30/box.

These prefilled syringes are not for multiple use. They are for one time use only and then are to be disposed of. The normal prefilled syringe contains the medicine in the syringe section with a plastic cap that covers the needle to prevent contamination and accidental needle sticks. It is very important to follow the protocols of the facility for the use and disposal of these syringes.

The market for the increase in the use of prefilled syringes is growing. The fact that these syringes are disposable and cannot be re-used, has definitely stimulated an interest in increasing the sale of more medications that are prefilled. With the healthy growth of interest in recent years, the pharmaceutical companies are beginning to distribute more and more medications that are in prefilled syringes. More categories, such as vaccines, erythroproteins, interferons, rheumatoid arthritis medications, and blood stimulants are increasingly leaning toward the prefilled syringes, with security being the main reason.

Prefilled syringes provide more patient safety because it helps to prevent needle sticks and also provides less chance of contamination, which usually occurred when medications were being drawn up from vials. The prefilled syringes also help to prevent dosing errors and increase the patient compliance because of the convenience and ease of use. The healthcare reform, with the cost containment and the changing of medical practices, are helping to drive the need for the increase of medications in prefilled syringes.

The Use Of Huber Needles

There are circumstances that arise when patients need to have a venous access available for such procedures as medications, blood products, drawing of blood, and total parenteral nutrition. Such illnesses as cancer, kidney disease, leukemia or problems that would require more than 6 weeks of venous access, may require the insertion of an implanted device. The venous access ports are surgically implanted in the chest and are accessed through the chest wall with a Huber needle.

The Huber needles are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different patients. These Huber infusion sets are available from 19g x 3/4" size to 22g x 1" size. The needle set is latex free, so will not be a concern if a patient is admitted with a latex allergy. The fact they have a new needle hub and a wing design, offers greater security and accuracy when accessing the venous port site with the Huber needle. The set has an 11" micro bore tubing with a Y site, for when the patient is connected to infusions. This makes it more convenient for the patient and the nurses. These Huber needles come 25/box.

Always follow the protocol of the facility when using the implanted central port. Aseptic technique should always be used when caring for or accessing the venous port. The port should only be accessed by a registered nurse or physician. A Huber needle can be left in place for as long as 7 days after insertion, if there are no complications.

Prior to accessing the port with the Huber needle, always wash your hands with antibacterial soap and put on sterile medical gloves. Palpate the patient's chest in order to locate the needle port. Usually you can easily feel the port under the skin. Approximately the size of a quarter, the port will feel firm around the edges with a soft spongy center. After locating the port, follow the protocol of the facility, prepare a clean work area, prepare the Huber needle, clean the port site, insert the Huber needle and secure and cover the needle and site. Always document the gauge and length of the Huber needle used for access in the medical record.

One of the biggest benefits is that the implanted venous port allows for long term access and has the lowest incidence of blood borne infections. Although the port may have been inserted for the patient to receive chemotherapy, it can also be used for other things, such as antibiotics or blood. After use of the port is completed, remove the Huber needle per protocol. Again, always use sterile technique, flush the port per protocol, before you remove the needle.

The complications of the implanted port can include infiltration, skin breakdown, infection, occlusions, thrombus formation or catheter fracture. After assessing the port site, notify the physician and do not access the port if the site is red, tender, swelled or warm to touch.

The Huber needle is the only needle that is used to access the implanted venous port. Always check the site per facility protocol as long as the site is accessed with the Huber needle. Always use sterile technique when accessing or discontinuing a Huber needle, this cannot be stressed enough. The central venous implanted port allows the patient more freedom with daily life and is easy to maintain for hospital or home therapy.

Heparin Syringe Medical Usages

Heparin is categorized as an injectable anticoagulant. This medication is used to decrease the bloods ability to clot. This helps prevent the harmful formation of clots in the blood vessels. A lot of times, you will hear this medication referred to as a blood thinner. Heparin does not actually thin the blood or dissolve clots that are already formed, but it can help prevent the present clots from getting larger and stop further clots from forming. Heparin can be given by intravenous route or by subcutaneous route, such as heparin syringes.

Depending on the policies and protocols of a facility, Heparin solution may be used to flush the IV catheters. This is done in order to keep the catheter site clear and free flowing. Flushing the site routinely will cut down on having to restart IV's unnecessarily and will help prevent infiltration of IV sites because of occlusions. This provides for patient comfort and decreases the risk of infections.

Posiflush Heparin Syringes are prefilled heparin syringes. They are available in 2 sizes, 3ml fill in a 10ml diameter, 10 unit BD Posiflush heparin lock flush syringe and a 3ml fill in a 10ml diameter, 100 unit BD Posiflush heparin lock flush syringe. These are also available in a 5ml size. The prefilled syringes are latex free and have clear labeling. These are convenient, reliable, and cost effective alternatives to the vial-based systems. The use of the BD Posiflush Heparin Syringes will strengthen your IV catheter care procedures. The syringes come 30/box.

The use of the prefilled syringes are designed to help reduce the risk of medication errors, reduce disposal costs and decrease the risk of catheter damage. The syringe has a greater visibility of the contents and are color and bar coded for easy identification. The syringes are also designed so that the solution cannot enter a non-sterile area of the syringe.

Heparin comes in different strength solutions. Very serious errors have occurred when the wrong strength was used. Always check and double check that the correct strength is being used before the medication is injected. Even though it is unlikely when being used for a catheter flush, this medication can cause bleeding if it has too much effect on your blood. If any signs of bleeding are noted, such as bleeding of the gums, prolonged bleeding from cuts, nosebleeds, unusual pain or swelling, unusual bruising, black stools, dark urine, severe headache, or unusual dizziness, the physician should be contacted immediately.

The use of Posiflush Heparin Syringes will cut down on the amount of medical waste as well. The prefilled syringes will make the life of the nurses easier by providing an easy, convenient and dependable course for the treatment of the IV catheter sites. Due to the decreased time spent restarting IV sites, the nurses will be able to spend more time on other important patient care procedures.

The Reason for Disposable Medical Supplies-Preventing Infections.

According to the CDC and NNIS, the incidence of nosocomial--or hospital acquired infections has surpassed 2 million per year. More than 165 thousand people per month are afflicted by an infection which they obtained after they entered the hospital. About three people per every thousand who enter the hospital get some kind of an infection after they get there. With so much at risk and so much to be gained, hospital infection control teams are working night and day to prevent the incidence of infection inside the health care facility.

As the health care and infection control teams begin to intensify their fight against this kind of infection they are turning more and more to disposable medical products to try to ensure the health and safety of the patients who are in the hospital. Health facility associated infections are a very serious issue for patients. Some can even cost the overall health and the lives of the patients. Physicians and other health care providers are looking for ways to stop the spread of infection and the number one method that comes to mind is the use of disposable medical supplies.

Even for all the infection that we do see in the hospital, the incidences of the nosocomial infection have lowered dramatically over the years. Before disposable medical supplies were available in a widespread way the healthcare providers of yesterday depended on the autoclave to create sterile equipment that was necessary to serve the hospital. The autoclave uses very high heat and high pressure to kill the germs on the equipment. Typically it is very effective, but there were many cases when it was not perfect. Things were missed and problems took place in hospital rooms and in surgeries.

The incidence of infection during the use of the autoclave to keep the hospital or nursing home equipment clean was quite high although the sterilization process was a vast benefit over the original soaking or washing in simple soap and water that preceeded it.

Since the onset of disposable medical supplies the incidence of hospital or healthcare facility infections have dramatically dropped and will continue to do so as long as they are correctly used and implemented in every health care facility. Disposable medical supplies are intended to be used once and then to be thrown away so that no one is exposed to pathogens from another party while using hospital medical supplies. From tourniquets to catheters to iv bags and tubing, these disposable medical supplies prevent infection and save lives. Avoid the risk of cross contamination and infection by using disposable medical supplies from a reputable medical supply company.

Disposable Medical Supplies

In the beginning of the hospital and healthcare world, not a lot was known about cleanliness and why hospital materials should be sterile. The need for sterility hadn't really been established yet and the means of spreading disease wasn't well known. Once it was an established fact that bacteria and viral infections caused disease and infection, new methods for removing or killing the bacteria were experimented with.

Different solutions that ingredients like carbolic acid entered into the mixture. In British hospitals, Joseph Lister began to experiment with different chemicals that would help to kill the bacteria and lower the chance of infection. His research was not well received by medical practitioners. Some physicians and hospitals began to follow the examples that Lister set but most did not believe that bacteria caused the infection and once they did believe, they were not believers of the fact that some types of solutions could kill those bacteria and alleviate the sickness and death that came from infection.

Over time as the idea of infections became more accepted, health care providers and professionals began to use antiseptics and to create conditions by which the instruments in the hospital were kept cleaner. Enter the autoclave. The autoclave was a means by which the instruments in the hospital were cleaned and made sterile.

Today we accept that bacteria can create conditions by which infections can take place.Each time those materials were used they were sterilized in the autoclave, a device that is much like a modern day pressure cooker. It builds up pressure and temperature to kill bacteria, but it was not foolproof. Some kinds of disease processes were not prevented. Prions, which cause Mad Cow Disease, were often not killed. Some bacteria remained because the kind of instrument was not able to be autoclaved due to the fact that some of those instruments could also melt.

The answer was that instruments should be created and delivered in a sterile environment, completely free from any kind of bacteria that might infect an already ill patient. Enter the single use sterile materials which were pre-packaged. These disposable medical supplies were far more healthy and a far better surety against any kind of bacterial infection. They are single use materials which, having been used one time are then discarded.

Today, thankfully there is no need for a second use and no need to try to remove bacteria or fungi from the items. The disposable medical supplies which are largely in use today are one of the best and most positive things to come along in many years. They provide for the better health of the patient and also protect the health care practitioner since many injuries took place in the past as health care providers attempted to clean and sterlize the instruments that they used.