Applying the supply module to case carts

When Hinsdale Hospital in Hinsdale, Illinois, decided to shift the pulling of cases from the Surgery Department to the Sterile Processing Department, a number of computer system changes had to be implemented to facilitate a smooth, functional transition. Seventy percent of the inventory carried in Surgery was transferred to SPD. To eliminate a cumbersome and uncoordinated supply requisition and pulling process that had existed in the OR, all written information had to be manually entered into a computer supply requisition module, and corrections made based on clinician "mental notes". This took the guesswork out of pulling and billing cases, from SPD's point of view. Additionally, new item numbers were assigned to indicate whether particular supplies were located in the OR or SPD. Hardware in the OR and SPD were networked together so the departments could share information and print requisitions in both locations. Finally, a detailed procedure on pulling cases was written for SPD to ease the transition and provide practice continuity for all SPD workers.