In a medical emergency, quickly finding supplies can stave off stress in an already high-pressure situation, and save precious time and even lives. Organizing nursing unit supplies will keep them readily available and also in better shape, saving time for the staff and money for the facility. Ensure patients' quick recovery by organizing supplies -- that way, nurses can put their efforts into healing rather than hunting for the right tools.
Instructions
1. Assess the current storage system and decide if it's functional and efficient or if a new system would be an improvement. Rearranging medical supplies can cause confusion, so follow this medical maxim when proceeding: First, do no harm. Garner the support and feedback of those who use the supplies the most.
2. Remove all items from the supply closet or cabinet. Discard anything that has been damaged or is out of date. Follow facility rules for disposing of medical hazards or expired supplies.
3. Inventory the remaining supplies and group them neatly by category --- gauze bandages, medicine cups, alcohol pads, saline, rolls of medical tape, boxes of protective gloves.
4. Label bins prominently, based on what each one holds, and place those items in the bins. The bin you choose for each category must be large enough to accommodate a full delivery. Use small bins to keep track of small, easily lost items. Clear bins are the most effective storage solution as what's inside is easily visible and identifiable.
5. Decide which items are used most often, and place those in the storage space first, putting them in at eye level. Position the rest of the supplies in the storage unit by decreasing frequency of need. Use large bins on the floor to store large, bulky items and overflow for easy restocking.
6. Create an inventory checklist to hang on the inside the cabinet or closet door, listing all the supplies currently in use. When stock gets low or it's time to reorder, check off the supply that's getting low. This will make ordering and maintaining a steady inventory simple and less time-consuming.
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