6 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6
The Ostego
Memorial Hospital
in Gaylord, Mich.,
makes saving on
supplies a priority.
The hospital has
implemented sev-
eral new initiatives
to help it cut its
materials costs,
including:
• Updating pref-
erence cards.
While most facili-
ties have trouble
updating prefer-
ence cards yearly,
Ostego makes sure to update its on a weekly basis. If an OR tech
notices that an item consistently goes unused, she checks with the
surgeon and makes a note of the change on the card. Within a week,
the card is updated, says Roxanne Mohr, RN, staff nurse. "This really
decreases unnecessary waste and spending," she says.
• Streamlining suture supplies. To reduce the overflow of multiple
types of suture, the hospital has implemented a suture cart system. In
the system, the hospital stocks 1 to 2 carts per specialty with a
streamlined inventory of suture. This makes it easy to move the suture
around to the various ORs as needed, and it helps to standardize the
CUTTING COSTS
Ostego Memorial Hospital Drives Down Its Supply Costs
• CAREFUL SELECTION Carl Wahl, CST, studies the preference cards and boarding sheets for
a case to ensure he pulls the right supplies.
Roxanne
Mohr,
RN
Awards Issue
