When you’re running a business in the medical sector, you have much to consider to keep your business running. Your medical business needs to thrive and it’s much easier to do that when you are efficiently storing your products. Storage is vital in this industry because proper storage ensures that medical products remain organised, effective and accessible.
On top of this, it helps to maintain compliance with regulations, reducing the risks of contamination and product damage. So, with this in mind, here are ten ways that you can store your medical supplies for your business.
- Prioritise safety. The most important aspect of medical supply storage is ensuring that things are stored safely. Safe medical apparatus storage involves so much more than protecting the physical items from damage. Thermometers, diagnostic machinery and surgical instruments all must be secured in climate controlled storage, which helps to maintain their integrity. Smaller medical instruments such as syringes and needles have to be stored securely, too, because of the risk of accidental injury. Contaminants have to be kept away from sterile products, so consider this first and foremost when planning storage.
- Categorizing is key. If you want your storage to be efficient, you have to organize your medical supplies in a way that allows for both easy access and fast identification. Storing consumables like gauze and bandages and gloves in one area, while separating them from the more specialist items, helps to keep storage lined up and making sense. Labels should be used as needed, with bins and drawers clearly distinguishing between categories. Organize by usage frequency if you need to access items around the clock, as this way, your storage will be in one place at one time.
- Use shelving systems for easy access. Shelving units are common in storage systems for medical supplies and for a good reason! When you have a range of products to use, you need to consider adjustable shelving racks as this allows for better flexibility in storing supplies of various sizes and shapes. Open units are usually ideal for non-perishables, and you can store larger/heavier items with sturdy shelving that has weight-bearing capabilities. Shelves should be well-constructed, able to handle the weight of the supplies you place on it and kept clean and uncluttered to prevent items being contaminated and damaged.
- Think about temperature and humidity control. Certain supplies require temperature control. Vaccines, medications and some medical apparatus require specific environments to ensure effectiveness. Humidity control is critical for maintaining the integrity of your medical supplies and you can ensure that you are compliant when you pay for this type of storage. Vaccines, for example, usually have to be refrigerated to keep them at the right efficacy.
- Invest in temperature sensitive containers. There are certain supplies that are sensitive to changes in temperature, such as certain biological materials. This is where you can budget for insulated storage containers which keep the temperature sensitive items that require levels even in the primary storage area. If there are any fluctuations, the storage unit won’t have spoiled any of the medical materials because the storage boxes that you’ve invested in will keep them at the correct temperature. If your business requires the transportation of temperature sensitive items, you should make sure that your storage containers for transport are insulated and secure.
- Invest in modular storage. Modular storage units are flexible, can be customized to suit our specific needs, and can grow with you. No matter what it is that you’re storing, modular systems will allow you to create a storage configuration that fits the space and the type of products that you have to store. Shelving, bins, and containers can be adjusted or reconfigured to accommodate new inventory as you need.
- Use an inventory management system. Effective inventory management plays a very big role in the organisation and the accessibility of stored medical supplies. By implementing these systems, you can track the location, the quantity and the expiration dates of each item, which allows you to reduce the risk of overstocking or running out of essential supplies.
- Make sure that you are regulation compliant. As a healthcare business, you already know that there are regulations that you have to adhere to. When it comes to storing medical supplies, there are governing bodies that dictate how certain products have to be stored to ensure efficacy and safety. Staying up to date on industry standards and ensuring that your storage methods are compliant is vital for your business to remain current. The last thing that you want is to endure a fine.
- Keep your storage secure. There are some medical supplies, such as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic devices, that require a higher level of security. These are high value items so you should consider investing in locked storage cabinets, safes or secure rooms. This is especially important if your business is located in a high traffic area or has people coming in and out. Only authorised personnel should have access to your secured areas and you should implement a sign in & out policy so that you know who goes near your storage and who doesn’t.
- Regularly inspect and maintain your storage systems. Maintaining storage systems is critical to ensure that your medical supplies remain secure, organised, and in good condition at all times. Regularly inspecting shelving units, refrigerators, and cabinets helps to keep you on top of any wear or damage. This is especially important for items that are sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light.
If you want to run a successful and compliant healthcare business, then the storage that you put your medical supplies in is fundamental. From maintaining temperature controls to implementing inventory management systems, these strategies are going to help your business to manage its supplies in the most effective way possible. Take the time to create an inventory plan for your medical supplies, so that you know where everything is as you need to access it.