2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7
T
he trick of pur-
chasing is creat-
ing a seamless
supply of stock. When I
got into purchasing 2
years ago after years as
a surgical assistant, I
wanted to create a sys-
tem that would provide
uninterrupted inventory,
one that was more effi-
cient and stress-free.
Right away, I introduced a two-bin system for storing our sup-
plies. When I restock, one bin takes half the bounty and goes off
to its specific cart or station while the other stays in a storage
unit. Once the first is empty and makes its way back, I send the
other one out, full and ready to go, and then I place an order to
replenish the empty bin. It's like managing a rotating bullpen.
Meanwhile, the staff have what they need, and I can see what's
being used and when without hunting down every container
throughout the surgical center. Plus, by recognizing patterns, I
can arrange patient-specific inventory packs based on what sup-
plies are often used together.
Paula Starner, LPN
Wooster (Ohio) Ambulatory Surgery Center
purchasing@woostersurgerycenter.com
Two-Bin System
for Supplies
• DOUBLE THE BINS, HALF THE WORK With a two-bin
system for storing supplies, when you receive an empty
bin, you send its twin as a replacement and refill the other.
Paula
Starner,
LPN
Ideas Work
That
