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A PAR level approach to maintaining hospital supplies is considered best practice . What happens when a hospital has no systematic approach to perioperative supply chain management ?

It ’ s hard enough as a mid-size stand-alone hospital to ensure the right surgical supplies are always on hand . Resources are lacking , technology is behind and surgical schedules vary .

“ There ’ s been a new focus on surgical supply chain management since the pandemic ,” says Kim Haines , Director of Clinical Programs for Perioperative Sales at Medline . “ Not having a system in place can result in inefficiencies , increased costs , risks to patient care and financial losses .”

Lack of PAR levels can result in supply waste What does it mean to have no periop supply inventory system in place ? For this hospital :

• No PAR levels established : Periodic automatic replenishment ( PAR ) levels provide guidelines for maintaining appropriate stock levels of supplies . Without them , it ’ s challenging to ensure you have enough of the right supplies when needed , potentially leading to stockouts or overstocking .

• Overflowing bins : Excess inventory can lead to difficulties in locating specific items , increased risk of items expiring and increased storage costs . It also makes it harder to keep track of what is available and what needs to be reordered .

• Lack of storage space : When storage

space is limited , it becomes challenging to organize supplies efficiently , increasing the risk of disorganization , damage and expired items . It can also lead to clutter , making it difficult for staff to locate necessary supplies quickly .

• Inaccurate item masters : An inaccurate master file can lead to incorrect orders , delays in restocking and difficulties in tracking supply usage . Accurate item masters are essential for proper supply chain management , as they serve as a reference for item details , including pricing , suppliers and usage history .

• High-value loss on expired items : Allowing items to expire represents a significant financial loss . High-value items , such as surgical implants or devices , can