Healthcare facilities need streamlined storage systems for day-to-day operations — it’s more than just a luxury – it’s a necessity. In medical facilities, there are massive quantities of supplies, ranging from surgical kits and medications to linens and protective equipment.
Inadequate storage space and poor organization make it difficult for hospitals to provide high-quality patient care.
A Better Storage System Equals Better Patient Care
Incredibly, nurses can spend an average of 21 minutes of their shift looking for lost and misplaced equipment and supplies. Ideally, this number should be zero in hospitals and other facilities where every minute matters.
The patient experience is directly impacted by how efficient and organized the healthcare storage system is. A nurse or other hospital worker who can locate supplies quickly is able to spend more time with patients. Storing supplies properly helps prevent the loss of or damage to supplies, as well as maintaining a clean environment.
Choosing The Best Medical Storage Solutions
1. Modular Bins
All medical supplies are kept organized and accessible with modular bins. In combination with color-coded supply systems, this solution makes it easier to locate frequently used items. Alternatively, modular bin storage can be installed as a high-density system, allowing two rows of storage to be compressed into one, thus minimizing aisle space requirements.
2. Museum Storage Cabinets
Storage cabinets for museums are designed to protect items and save space at the same time. In healthcare, as well as other industries, these cabinets offer long-term solutions. Dust, light, and water cannot damage the items stored in such museum storage cabinets. Storage rooms for medical supplies can benefit from these systems as they provide secure and safe storage for important items.
This museum cabinet storage includes water shields, ultra-durable powder coating, as well as industry-unique compression handles. It is perfect for storing confidential documents, hospital equipment, narcotics, and other important items.
3. Wire Shelving
In labs and operating rooms, wire shelving helps keep supplies organized. By choosing the right storage solution for the organization’s needs, material management staff and nurses will be able to maximize their physical space, reduce capital expenditures, and increase productivity.
A wire shelf system in a medical facility or hospital keeps medical supplies organized and readily accessible. It increases the storage capacity of medical supplies by condensing storage space.
In hospitals, wire shelving is used for a variety of purposes. In addition to allowing cool air to circulate, it also prevents dust and dirt from accumulating. In order to sterilize medical storage, air circulation is necessary.
4. Nurse Stations
In hospital settings, nurse stations provide quick and easy access to supplies and equipment, so hospital workers do not have to travel to the main supply room to get what they need. An application of this solution resulted in a 21% reduction in care costs in one medical center, as well as a 17% reduction in hospital length of stay for patients.
5. Secure Storage Cabinets
For medical equipment and supplies to remain safe and secure, healthcare professionals require quality storage cabinets. In addition to having double the capacity of traditional storage cabinets, secure storage cabinets occupy less space on your floor. This type of storage system is ideal for securing pharmaceutical solutions as well as organizing patient information. It is easier to organize and secure items with secure storage cabinets since they are space-saving.
6. Post Shelving
With its high durability and ergonomic design, post shelving provides great visibility, accessibility, and organization. Sterile supplies can be stored on this type of shelving directly in operating rooms or sensitive areas. A Plexiglas or glass door ensures maximum visibility while keeping supplies clean. You can also customize shelving with shelves that can be adjusted and pull-out racks for storing your ever-changing supplies.
7. Mobile Shelving
Healthcare facilities and hospitals use mobile shelving for the efficient and organized storage of supplies and records. With this system, you are able to store more in less space.
Compared to static shelves, mobile shelving provides significantly more storage space per square foot. In addition to allowing easy access to medical records, it is ideal for storing records.
It is possible to store medical equipment, supplies, and patient files on mobile shelving. With a simple railing and locking system, mobile shelving units can be taken anywhere. It is safer, more organized, and more productive to use mobile shelves.
8. High-Density Stainless Steel Racking
For sterile medical storage, high-density stainless steel racking is the best solution. In order to prevent infections and spread illnesses, sterile storage is essential for storing surgery kits, needles, and other sensitive materials. In addition to eliminating wasted aisle space, stainless steel mobile racking systems are corrosion and rust-resistant.
9. Medical Filing System
Records can be organized efficiently and securely with a medical filing system. A medical record storage system is highly accessible, durable, and performs well. A medical filing system and cabinet improves physical file organization, optimizes floor space, reduces access time, and improves security.
Flexible configuration options and a range of customization options are available with file storage systems. Health records are usually categorized numerically based on a patient’s medical records. It is easier to access these records if they are filed properly.
Bring Lean Healthcare Solutions to Your Facility
The healthcare industry today faces a number of challenges that impact quality, safety, and staff as well as patient satisfaction. There are several factors that contribute to these problems, including ineffective storage organization and inefficient workflows, which lead to errors, wasted time, losses, and higher costs.
A medical storage solution allows supplies and medical equipment to be securely stored and easily accessed. You can minimize the challenges faced by healthcare facilities by utilizing these storage solutions.
Facilities can eliminate waste and improve efficiency by implementing ‘lean healthcare’ practices aimed at reducing costs and increasing productivity. Providing a range of storage and organization solutions, including Medical or Utility Carts, Bins, Shelving Systems, and High-Density Storage Cabinets, DSI Medical Supply can assist you in staying organized, maximizing space, and improving inventory control with customized healthcare storage solutions.