If there’s one thing you can’t afford to skimp out on in a medical setting, it’s organisation. Imagine the consequences of mislabelling medication or misplacing important protective gear.
More often than not, nurses don’t have the time to rummage around looking for a specific type of dressing or medicine. On the contrary, most experiences are intense and fast-paced, therefore, a well-organised space is of the essence.
In this blog, we’ll share everything you need to know about keeping your supplies organised in a medical setting. Keep reading to find out our best tips and tricks…
Label Medication with Precision
The most vital part of organising your medical supplies is ensuring all medication is labeled with precision. Although this may seem obvious, it only takes a few careless moments for meds to get easily mixed up. Make sure you can clearly see information such as the type of medication, expiry date, etc.
Update Patient Charts and Records
Just as important as your supplies are the records and charts of your patients. These should be closely monitored and updated. Staff will need to regularly access these documents to speed along the treatment and source the necessary supplies.
Invest in Organisational Furniture
When you have furniture that is specifically designed for medical settings, such as catheter storage, you’ll find that it’s much easier to keep your supplies stocked and organised. Plus, many of these cabinets have special temperature and environmental features to ensure materials are stored effectively.
Understand Your Emergency Protocol
In times of medical crisis, an emergency protocol is needed. You need to create a plan that will help staff know what to do in an emergency. This could include anything from power outages to natural disasters and even pandemics. Make sure you develop a plan that respects the integrity of your supplies and fosters communication between staff.
Encourage Regular Staff Training Sessions
Don’t hesitate to call staff into training sessions when you decide to change storage methods. If you implement a new protocol, you need to teach employees how you expect things to be done. Even a quick 15-minute training session before they start work could make a world of difference.
Focus on Effective Waste Management
Another incredibly important aspect of the organisation process is creating space for effective waste management. This involves aspects such as disposing of hazardous chemicals safely and reducing the environmental impact of your facility. Make sure staff know exactly where they should dispose of waste (and how you expect them to do so).
Whether you’re a hospital administrator or practicing nurse, keeping note of these practices can seriously help optimize procedures in a medical setting. Not only should a well-organised system help speed up the process, but it should also help reduce potential errors and ensure safety measures are upheld. We hope this guide has inspired you to take charge and re-organise your supplies in a way that makes more sense.
