What’s inside:

Are your Cath Labs ready to scale? Inefficient management of Cath lab inventory commonly results in millions of wasted dollars a year. There’s never been a better time for cardiovascular providers to boost their inventory management capabilities.

This post covers:

  • Cath lab inventory management challenges
  • The impact on patients
  • Tackling Cath lab inventory inefficiencies
  • Benefits of implementing a Cath Lab inventory system
  • The future of Cath lab efficiency

Research published in American Heart Association journal, Circulation, predicts that over 61% of the US population will have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050.

With a huge projected rise of CVD cases, can your Cath labs handle increased demand? It’s time to tackle Cath lab inefficiencies and prepare for the predicted CVD surge.

One simple way to improve Cath lab and cardiovascular procedure room efficiency is to use technology to automatically oversee the inventory.

Cath lab inventory management challenges

Managed by nurses or surgical techs, Cath lab inventory management is a complex task that is often rushed and inefficient due outdated systems, plus staffing and time pressures. The result is significant wastage, inflated costs and the risk of crucial supplies being missing when required.

The financial cost:

From talking to customers, we hear that Cath labs typically struggle with:

  • 25-30% excess inventory
  • 7-10% wastage due to loss/expiry

The human cost:

Inefficient inventory processes also have an impact on patient care. Delays in locating or restocking crucial supplies can lead to longer procedure times, and even cancelled cases, raising patient risk. And even when the surgery goes ahead, missing inventory often results in expensive last-minute orders, placing a burden on already tight budgets.

And once the surgery is in process, nurses then have to suffer longwinded supply chain documentation that cause frustration and distract from patient care.

Tackling Cath lab inventory inefficiencies

If Cath lab supply chain inefficiencies are not tackled now, when demand increases, the costs and impact are going to be even higher.

In the journal piece, Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association said, “We recognize that the landscape of cardiovascular health will change over the next three decades because of the coming tsunami of rising healthcare costs, an older population living longer, and increasing numbers of people from under-resourced populations.“

Smart providers will want to stay ahead of the curve and plan Cath lab efficiency enhancers, including introducing inventory automation.

 

Cath Lab inventory automation boost Cath lab efficiency
Cath Lab inventory automation boost Cath lab efficiency

Benefits of implementing a Cath Lab inventory system

An automated Cath lab inventory system can enhance procedure room supply management in two ways.

  • Providing full stock visibility: Smart cabinets and RFID wands enable item level tracking, expiry management, automated restocks, and easy location of pick list products.
  • Utilization documentation: Ensuring point of use documentation results in accurate and complete EHR records, and that supply chain management is demand-driven.

Cath Lab inventory optimization can facilitate impressive cost savings:

  • 30% reduction in inventory
  • 70% reduction in waste
  • $1-2 Million supply chain savings

Automating stock and point of use supply management frees up your finance and ensures Cath lab nurses can focus on patient care.

As with all industries, the healthcare sector is embracing AI to reduce labor, streamline workflows, improve analytics and prepare for future growth. According to Statista data, the AI market size is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 17.3% between 2023 and 2030.

The future of Cath lab inventory efficiency

With CVD treatment demand due to rise in urban and rural areas, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that leverage technology to improve the efficiency of their healthcare delivery will be able to rise to the dual challenges of increased demand and rising costs, and in doing so, scale up their provision.

Are your cardiovascular units set up to scale?

Find out about our custom Cath-lab bundle – the most efficient way to manage stock, consignment, and bill-only items in the Cath Lab.

FAQ: 61% CVD rate by 2050! Is Your Cath Lab Ready?

With a projected 61% increase in CVD cases by 2050, there’s not denying the need to plan for growth.

Cath labs often struggle with outdated inventory management systems that can hinder performance and inflate costs.

AI inventory management helps Cath Labs by automating stock monitoring and replenishment, as well as slashing wastage and boosting Cath lab efficiency.

AI Cath lab automation is freeing up staff to focus on patient care and easing scaling for future growth.

Inventory management in Cath Labs can be enhanced using new, automated technology.

Implementing AI solutions into the Cath Lab can:

  • Reduce supply waste and increase efficiency: AI can optimize inventory levels, reducing unnecessary procurement, and ensuring supplies are readily available when needed.
  • Improve staff focus: By streamlining inventory management, AI frees up staff to focus on providing the best possible care for patients.
  • Scalability for future growth: AI can help Cath Labs scale their operations efficiently to meet the anticipated increase in demand.

Automation adds speed and efficiency to Cath lab inventory management.

Point-of-care supply tracking offers several benefits for Cath Lab efficiency:

  • Real-time visibility: Tracking consumptions provides real-time data on inventory levels at the point of care, allowing staff to see the real picture on available supplies and restock requirements. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual checks.
  • Reduced waste: By accurately tracking usage data, point of use systems can help identify and prevent overstocking of supplies that may expire before use, and can also effectively manage the expiry dates of the stock at hand. This reduces waste and saves money.
  • Improved workflow: Efficient tracking minimizes delays in locating supplies. Staff can quickly find what they need, leading to a smoother workflow, reduced last-minute orders, and faster turnaround times for procedures.
  • Inventory control: POU tracking systems can generate reports that analyze usage patterns and identify trends. This data can inform better inventory management decisions, ensuring the Cath Lab has the right supplies on hand at the right time – not just now, but in the future too, as demand patterns change.
  • Compliance: Point of care tracking systems can help ensure compliance with UDI regulations by ensuring full and accurate EHR records.

Overall, point-of-care supply tracking plays a crucial role in optimizing Cath Lab efficiency by providing real-time data, reducing waste, improving workflow, and ensuring control over inventory.

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About the author

Sharona is Marketing and Content Manager, charged with telling the world about IDENTI Medical, and its range of data sensing solutions. Sharona has worked in a range of industry settings, including healthcare organizations and SAAS companies. Sharona is also responsible for organizing network events across the US, creating opportunities for healthcare professionals to meet the team and see our products in action.
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