title: If I were a band-aid, where would I be? Researching the use and location of supplies on two patient units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the use and storage of supplies in the neonatal intensive care and women's health units of Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Construction of a new Parkland Hospital is underway, with completion of the 862-bed, 2.5-million square feet hospital in 2014. Leaders from the hospital and representatives from one of its major vendors collaborated on a research study to evaluate the hospital's current supply management system and develop criteria to create an improved system to be implemented at the new hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approach includes qualitative and quantitative methods, that is, written survey, researcher observations, focus groups, and evaluation of hospital supply reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approaching the ideal location of supplies can be best approached by defining a nurse's activity at the point of care. Determining an optimal supply management system must be approached by understanding the "what" of caregivers' activities and then determining the "where" of the supplies that support those activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An ideal supply management system locates supplies as close as possible to the point of use, is organized by activity, and is standardized within and across units.
authors: Herman Miller, Inc., Holland, MI, USA doug_bazuin@hermanmiller.com.
authors: Doug
authors: D
authors: Bazuin
authors: Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Martinez
authors: Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Harper
authors: Herman Miller, Inc., Holland, MI, USA.
authors: Kathy
authors: K
authors: Okland
authors: Herman Miller, Inc., Holland, MI, USA.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Bergquist
authors: Herman Miller, Inc., Holland, MI, USA.
authors: Shilpi
authors: S
authors: Kumar
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D017144:Focus Groups; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013781:Texas; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: efficiency; point of use; supply; supply chain; supply management; supply use; waste