North Middlesex has becomes the first hospital in the UK to roll out a new inventory management system across all wards. Initial data revealed that some wards were overstocked by 40%.
NHS Supply Chain’s Managed Inventory Services (MIS) are underpinned by MedTrac, an inventory and requisitioning tool designed to strip out the inefficiencies in supplies management to help save costs and reduce wastage. All items – from ward level products such as bandages, through to high value items such as replacement hips – are tagged and monitored across the hospital using a unique tracking card. The card scans each product as it is used in the hospital and can be operated either by a ward employee or an NHS Supply Chain staff member. This data is then used to highlight any efficiencies that can be achieved. Glen McCracken explained: “The pilot revealed that some wards were overstocked by up to 40% which carries the risk of some products passing their expiry date. MIS helps reduce such unnecessary wastage and saves money in the process. It will make stock checking far easier, and allow staff to devote their time and energy to other priorities such as frontline patient care.”
