It is important to document the movement of each piece of inventory. It is imperative that the Asset Control Department knows the location of these items at all times.
INVENTORY
Each item is viewed in terms of a dollar amount. For example, one box of bandages may be worth $12.00. Simply stated, the hospital perceives this box of bandages as if it were $12.00 stored in the bank. The Storeroom Clerks are in charge of the Storeroom “checkbook.” Thus, the issuance of a box of bandages is accounted for by a twelve dollar “check” written by the Storeroom Clerk in the form of a requisition.
Once a year, the NCBH Storeroom’s checkbook is audited to make sure it balances. This process is done by a physical count of the items currently stored in different sections of the Storeroom. The “checkbook” is considered balanced if total items received equals total items on-hands, plus total items issued (items received = items on-hand + items issued).
STOCK ROTATION
Stock rotation should occur in all areas of the Storeroom at all times. Special emphasis is placed on items with limited shelf life, which usually have expiration dates marked on them. To facilitate this process, the Storeroom is equipped with several gravity feed shelving units. Items are restocked from the back of these shelves. When a unit of a particular item is taken from the front of the shelf, the rest of this item rolls forward. This concept is called the “FIFO,” or the “First In-First Out.”
BULK STORAGE
The bulk section of the Storeroom may serve as primary or secondary locations for items. The security cage in the Storeroom allows for the safeguard of syringes, needles and disposable diapers.
STERILE ROOM
Because the Central Service Department is a processing department, all sterile items (along with reprocessed trays and instruments) are considered part of the Storeroom inventory and are stored in the sterile room.
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