title: Automating the supply chain in the OR.
abstract: At the University of Louisville (Ky) Hospital, staff members from the materials management and surgery departments have worked together to automate the supply chain. The goals were to remove supply activities from clinical staff members whenever possible, obtain and apply information for better product ordering and use, reduce personnel in the materials management department, and improve perioperative nurses' ability to obtain supplies--all at a decreased cost to the facility. This article describes how, after implementing point-of-service technology for all surgical supplies, the facility realized a cost-per-procedure savings of 16% and increased satisfaction among staff members in both departments.
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville (Ky) Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: V T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Byrd
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006750:Hospital Distribution Systems; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012984:Software; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000600:supply & distribution*