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.

While the primary target is always to improve the health status of the patient and safety of the health providers, complete opposite can sometimes happen. They can sometimes be the source of threat in health sector as a result of defectiveness or mishandling.

For this reason therefore, proper consideration must always be given in procurement and handling these essential utilities. They play a primary role in the health of both the patients and the health providers. The support staff in health facilities is too must be protected from defective equipment.

While the hospitals and other health providers might put in place all the necessary steps to ensure that their environment and treatment procedures are completely secure, the efforts are sometimes in vain particularly if the utilizes supplied to them are defective or are below the required standards. The storage procedures must also be effective as most of these materials are highly sensitive to environmental conditions such light, moisture, temperature and even pressure.

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.

The discussion cannot be complete before considering the other category of the victims of health acquired condition. This category consists of health providers such as nurses, doctors and other professionals in this field. The health support staff such as cleaners cannot be forgotten. The two groups handle all categories of medical supplies and have to use gloves and masks in addition to other devices in attempt to protect themselves from infectious diseases and injuries. In case such devices are defective, these works are at a great risk.

Technology plays a major role in reducing risks associated with this kind of supply. In addition to continuous monitoring the use and effectiveness, the technology has been able qualify and disqualify the supplies in the health sector. The physicians are able to react on time to save situation and prevent unintended infections, injuries or worsening of a particular condition.

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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