How is inventory managed at your cath lab? Who handles the purchasing of equipment and supplies?
Our materials specialist handles the ordering of equipment and supplies. In her absence, several of the senior technologists maintain supply ordering. A template of products is maintained for each physician and then an inventory of the product is maintained in the lab. Our specialist will notice when the inventory is low or needs replacement, and will order appropriately. Manufacturer representatives frequently stop by to help maintain inventory levels and assist with outdates. Our plan is to eventually move to a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system for inventory control. Has your cath lab recently expanded in size and patient volume, or will it be in the near future? The year 2007 was a year of change for our lab. We added an outpatient lab to the mix which had a positive impact on our volumes. As more interventions come from the outpatient lab, the overall volumes within the hospital will also increase. The outpatient lab continues to increase their volumes by doing port plac
