In healthcare facilities, properly stored medical supplies ease the process of finding them at rush hour during an emergency. Where this proper storage of instruments could not be stressed any lesser, it is also undeniable that in case of situations such as massive floods, electricity breakouts, or a fire, finding the right medical supplies becomes near to impossible. In such cases, the organizational tools help shorten the time to locate each item thus keeping the therapeutic services running. The question, at this point, arises which items can be used for the secure storage of medical supplies in healthcare facilities? To address this query, the following article serves as a guide for choosing the right type of items for securing your medical supplies.
Compliance with Regulatory Standards
With a 7% risk of injury experienced by the hospital staff, a percentage almost double the one reported for construction workers, healthcare staff is at a greater risk of being affected while being at work. These injuries can be attributed to the following:
– Storage of essential supplies at a distant place from the point of their use
– Frustration while finding a lost item at a time of need
– Possible slips, trips, or falls while transporting medical supplies from one room to another
Keeping these in mind, it becomes essential to follow the storage guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to these, a medical device is one which ‘has been designed and manufactured for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of human diseases’. These devices have been classified into 3 categories based on their handling requirements:
– Class I medical devices: Class I medical devices can be handled and stored easily as their mishandling is not associated with any type of danger to the patient as well as to the healthcare staff. Items such as gloves and tongue depressors fall into this category.
– Class II medical devices: For Class II medical devices, special controls have been set. It is necessary to label these items and handle them properly. Wheelchairs and face masks fall into this category. Â
– Class III medical devices: Class III medical devices pose the most serious danger if mishandled. Life-sustaining devices such as implants, along with other items, are classified into this group.
Requirements for Secure Storage of Medical Supplies
Proper handling requires proper and secure storage which prevents the items from being damaged during transportation or from being worn due to the pressure applied by the items stored nearby. Therefore, some of the following storage supplies should be kept in a healthcare facility:
Surgical instrument storage cabinets and shelving:
Special surgical storage cabinets as well as shelves should be installed for the proper storage and organization of surgical supplies.
Sterile storage boxes:
Items that need sterile storage should be stored in special chambers that prevent contamination.
Refrigerators/freezers:
If a medical device is temperature-sensitive, it should be stored within refrigerators or freezers based on the storage instructions given by the manufacturer.
Labelling devices:
Shelf-life of each medical device should be mentioned on its storage container.
Fire-Resistant Storage Options
To eliminate the risk of damage to medical supplies due to possible fire incidents, one should invest in fire-resistant storage supplies such as:
– Fire-resistant storage cabinets
– Fire-resistant safety cabinets
– Fire-resistant under-bench safety cabinets
– Sun fire-resistant filing cabinets
– Fire and waterproof stainless steel or plastic boxes
Apart from these, an ample amount of fire extinguishers should also be installed in the healthcare setups to deal with minor fire incidents.
Organizing Medical Supplies-Advantages
Properly organized and well-stored medical supplies enhance the efficiency of healthcare faculty by:
– Reducing the time wastage while looking for the medical supplies in need
– Minimizing the risk of infections due to possible injuries
– Diminishing the amount of tiredness and overexertion experienced by the healthcare staff
– Providing more time for the healthcare staff to spend with the patients
All of the above-mentioned fire-proof storage products, along with other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770 at the most affordable prices. Furthermore, the prices are even lower during the weekly deals they offer on certain items. Do check them out for stocking up on some essential supplies.
Not to Dos in a Medical Facility
While dealing with medications and medical supplies in a healthcare facility, one should avoid adopting any of the following measures to reduce the chances of possible accidents and compromising safety:
– Medications such as insulin or anesthetics stored in bulk should not be exposed to sunlight.
– Refrigerators intended to be used for medical supplies and medications should be kept free from any type of food items.
– Any unused medical supplies should be checked at the end of the work day and restored in their respective place/dedicated cabinet. In the case of opened packaging, the items need to be discarded immediately.
– Moreover, practices such as storing medications or medical supplies on benchtops should be avoided in order to lessen the chances of accidental knocking or spilling after breakage.
– In case of any flammable liquids or solutions to be stored in a hospital, the respective storage cabinet must be able to tolerate a temperature above 325°F for a minimum of 10 minutes. This way, the healthcare staff gets enough time to evacuate the facility before these solutions catch fire or explode.
Conclusion
Secure storage of medical supplies is necessary when it comes to unforeseen emergencies that can happen in a medical facility. Incidents of flooding, fires, or short circuits can severely affect healthcare facilities in their entirety.
However, some of this damage is preventable by adopting safety measures before time. A healthcare facility should invest in the purchasing and installment of storage and organization items such as fire-resistant cabinets and shelves.
To do so, trusted suppliers like Health Supply 770 should be given preference as their reliability in terms of their goods as well as services is unmatched.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
