The Role Of Medical Supply In Soundness Of Health System

By Eugenia Dickerson


The healthcare materials that are not durable in nature and are usually disposable after use or after a short duration are usually referred to as medical supply materials. They include all materials ordered and prescribed by physicians for primary use in health purpose. This category covers the ostomy supplies, oxygen, diabetic and catheters in addition to all other supplies that cannot be used in absence of an injury or illness.

Their use is also limited to single users as there is no sharing and individuals may not use them in a repetitive manner. Others consider those products that can affect the health status of a patient either positively or negatively.

It is not surprising therefore that too much consideration is put in place when ordering items in this category of utilities. All the players from the manufacturers, suppliers, transporters, storage and eventual users put in effort for the maximum safety of these utilities.

The choices that are made in medical facilities today in regard to these materials are known to work for healthcare improvement. This is however not the case in all the situations. There are those choices when it comes to procurement of these essential materials that ends up regrettable. A number of these materials or equipment may end up being defective with high chances of spreading infections or worsening the health status of patients.

Health acquired conditions is a category of any form of ailment, injury or infection acquired by a patient under health facility care. In other words, a patient who comes to seek treatment for something unrelated acquires a new condition in the process of treatment. Falling and breaking a bone or two in the medical facility is an example. Other common infections and conditions that are easily acquired in this manner includes urinary tract infections associated with catheter, blood infections associated with central line, ventilator related pneumonia and even pressure ulcers among many others.

Such infections and injuries are not limited to the patients only, healthcare providers and their support staff too becomes victims when using defective utilities. There are reports where physicians get injured and sometimes infected with life threatening diseases when administering treatment. The cleaners too handle sharp objects and other infected materials.

Thanks to technology, most of the supplies in the hospitals today are usually of the required standard. Stringent measures are put in place in the manufacturing process with quality assessment at various levels to assure that only top quality products reach health facilities.

For the effectiveness and safety of medical supply, all the industry players have a responsibility. From the manufacturers, suppliers and other dealers to store keepers and the eventual users, all have a responsibly to play. The regulatory bodies too must keep their rules tight to ensure that the general public remains safe.




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