7 Medical Supply Storage Ideas for Hospitals and Practices: 2022 Edition

From medications, surgical kits, and diagnostic tools to linens, protective equipment, and personal care supplies, healthcare providers use massive amounts of supplies on a daily basis. Yet far too many continue to struggle with inadequate storage space and poor organization.

In fact, research suggests the typical nurse spends an average of 21 minutes per shift searching for lost equipment and supplies. That's simply unacceptable in any patient care setting where minutes – and even second – often matter.

Smart Medical Supply Storage Solutions Improve Efficiency and Patient Care

When properly designed, comprehensive medical supply storage solutions do more than reduce clutter -- they allow hospitals and other healthcare providers to:

• Improve Patient Care: Organized and convenient medical supply storage reduces the potential for mix-ups, prevents transmission of infectious pathogens, and frees nurses and other staff to spend more time with their patients.
• Control Costs: The right storage solutions can help your facility control costs by streamlining inventory processes and reducing the time spent restocking and searching for supplies.
• Boost Staff Morale: Accessible, well-organized storage solutions improve morale by reducing frustration and minimizing the physical strain that often accompanies efforts to locate and retrieve medical supplies and equipment.
• Facilitate the Efficient Use of Space: Every inch of a clinic or hospital devoted to storage is one less inch that can be used for patient care. The right storage solutions allow providers to make the most of their available space for the good of both patients and staff.
       

Medical Storage Solutions Every Provider Should Consider

Today’s healthcare providers can choose from a range of innovative medical supply storage solutions that will promote cleanliness, reduce the potential for lost or damaged supplies, and ensure nurses and other clinicians aren’t wasting time tracking down errant supplies.

Here are seven medical supply storage options we think every hospital and healthcare provider should consider:

Modular Bins for Efficient Retrieval

Modular bins are a great way to keep medical supplies organized and easily accessible, especially when combined with color-coded labels. Many modular bin systems offer high-density storage, which compresses two storage rows into a single space, thus eliminating the need for an aisle.

Stainless-Steel Racking to Ensure Supplies are Sterile

Medical supplies must be stored in a manner that promotes cleanliness and reduces the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and other infectious pathogens. Stainless steel racking is ideal for this purpose while remaining resistant to rust and corrosion. High-density, mobile racking systems eliminate wasted aisle space and allow facilities to better utilize the space they do have.

Mobile Shelving Units for Increased Efficiency

Compact mobile shelving units reduce wasted space by eliminating aisles and compacting cabinets and smaller shelves into a much smaller area. A central storage area designed around mobile shelving minimizes the distance between items, thus reducing the time it takes a staff member to retrieve supplies in an emergency, as well as the number of times an item gets re-ordered because it couldn't be located.

Nurse Servers to Improve Workflows

Nurse servers placed in patient rooms can be stocked the same way every time, simplifying restocking and materials management. And unlike a traditional storage closet that might require a clinician to travel across the floor to retrieve necessary materials, nurse servers allow staff to remain steps away from their patient.

4-Post Shelving for Improved Visibility and Accessibility

Highly durable and ergonomically designed, four-post shelving improves visibility, accessibility, and organization, making it ideal for sterile medical supply storage in the operating room or other sensitive locales. These units can be customized with pull-out racks and adjustable shelves, while glass or plexiglass doors ensure materials are visible while remaining clean.

Wall Storage to Make Use of Vertical Space

From wire hanging baskets and stackable hanging bins to wall-mounted storage racks and lockable medicine cabinets, wall storage solutions make use of vertical space to keep materials organized and within easy reach, whether in patient rooms, the lab, or the operating room.

Nurse Stations Designed for Efficiency

A well-designed nurse station can reduce the number of steps a nurse must take during a shift and improve patient care by ensuring staff is closer and more visibly available to their patients. Design options range from a hub and spoke model that places the nurse’s station at the center of patient care to side stations positioned between patient rooms. Modular casework, including base cabinets, wall cabinets, and storage units, ensure nursing stations can be customized, relocated, and reused to suit a facility’s evolving needs.

Lockers for Staff Satisfaction

While it’s essential to provide a place for nurses and other staff to securely store their personal belongings, lockers are one storage component healthcare facilities all too often overlook. But considering how stressful and busy a typical day can be for hospital and clinic staff, the secure storage space offered by a well-designed locker ensures nursing stations remain uncluttered and give staff members one less thing to worry about during their shift.

First Products is Ready to Assist with Your Medical Supply Storage Needs

If your hospital, clinic, or practice is searching for the right medical supply storage solutions, First Products is here to assist. We’ve been helping healthcare providers increase efficiencies, control costs, improve patient care, and boost staff morale since 1945. Our unparalleled commitment to customer service, highly experienced sales team, dedication to long-term customer satisfaction, and industry-best warranties have earned First Products the trust and respect of providers throughout the United States and worldwide.

To learn more about our perfect-fit medical supply storage solutions, please contact: First Products at 800.854.8304 to arrange for your COMPLIMENTARY DEMO today.