A systems perspective on OR inventory

As materiel managers focus their efforts on inventory reduction and control in the Operating Room, computerization offers solutions to some complicated OR-specific practices. Preference cards contain not only items, but also trays or packs, equipment and patient care plans that are physician/procedure specific. Through automation, inventory needs can better be predicted and automatic issuance and return of supplies used or not used during the case can be accomplished by editing an on-line screen version of the card. In addition, charge matrices can be geared not only to classes of items, but also to the time- and acuity-driven OR and Recovery Room. Automation can also create detailed cost data inclusive of supply and equipment use, time of resource use, personnel use, etc. to allow management to know what procedures, specialties and physicians provide profit or loss to the hospital. Finally, when interaction between systems is required, the OR system should be able to translate item names between systems.