Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Inventory control: inventory control mean stocking adequate number and kind
of stores so that the materials are available whenever required and wherever
required. This has to be done at an optimum outlay of financial and human
resources. High inventory level leads to high cost of inventories by:
d. Obsolescence
e. Spoilage etc.
On the contrary, low inventories may lead to frequent stock outs, and high
shortage cost. Balancing the cost of carrying high inventories and the cost of
shortages is done through a system of scientific inventory control.
RATE OF CONSUMTION
Close study of each item from the point to view of movement of store or
consumption rate is a strong tool for proper inventory control.
1. Fast moving
2. Slow moving
3. Non-moving
4. Obsolete
The stores when subjected to analysis based on their critically can be classified
into
a. Vital
b. Essential and
c. Desirable stores
V E D
A Av Ae Ad Cat I
B Bv Be Bd Cat II
C Cv Ce Cd Cat III
It will be seen from the figure, that findings of ABC and VED analysis can
be coupled and further grouping can be done to evolve a priority system of
management of stores.
V E D
A Av Ae Ad
B Bv Be Bd
C Cv Ce Cd
MANAGEMENT OF STORES
The grouping will essentially depend upon the strategy of management and
the environment of functioning. These simple techniques can be very effective in
material management system.
STORAGE CONDITIONS
Cool and cold room conditions should, therefore, be made available in all
medical store and strict monitoring of temperature done by the store keeper and the
supervisors.
1. Intuitive method: this is the “want book method” that is most effective
method. Here the items are recorded in the want book when the number of
units in stock reaches close to zero. The amount ordered then is the best
estimate for the store keeper or worker in the field.
2. Perpetual inventory method: this is one of the best accurate and effective
methods of inventory are, of course an ideal situation if the record keeping
can be kept up to date. In a ward situation, the nurse in charge of dispensing
tats the end of each day. Summarizes all drugs issued to patients and make
the proper posting in the perpetual inventory file. The file consists of
appropriate forms.
3. ABC method: this method is based on the fact that some stock items have a
much higher annual usage value than others. This after doing a cost analysis,
stock items are separated into three classes with the following
characteristics:
4. VED method (vita, essential, desirable): in this method each stock item is
classified on vital, essential or desirable based on how critical the item is for
providing health services. The vital items are stocked in abundance;
essential items are stocked in medium amounts and desirable items we
stocked in small amounts. By stocking items in order of priority. Vital and
essential items are always in stock which means a minimum disruption in
the services offered to the people.
5. Two bin method: this method separates the stock of each item into two bins
(BOXES). One bin (box) contains the main stock, the second (small) bin
contains enough stock to satisfy demand during the period necessary for
replenishment. When the first bin is exhausted and order for replenishment
is immediately placed. In the mean time, stock in the second bin is used to
satisfy demand until the replenishment stock arrives. Part of the new supply
when it arrives, is used to fill the second bin, which against placed in
reserve. The remainder of the replenishment stock is placed in the first bin,
where it is available for issuing and use.
However, the word “inventory” is meant for medicines purchased and held in
stock, medical equipments etc and consumables, medicine etc in hospitals and
voluntary agencies respectively.
a. ABC analysis
Therefore, materials and supplies are assets until they are consumed in
operations, at which time they become expenses, materials and supplies are
consumed in relatively short periods of time, whereas buildings and equipments
are consumed in relatively long periods of time and their consumption is recorded
in the form of depreciation expenses. In short, assets can be called “unconsumed
expenses”. In order to accurately record as expenses only those materials and
supplies actually consumed in the financial year, it is necessary to assess the
quality and value of unconsumed supplies and materials at the end of the year. This
task is obviously known as “taking the inventory” and shall be done by a
responsible person other than a storekeeper.
However, if the value of inventories has not been shown previously in the
hospital accounts or in accounts of an agency they may be entered firstly in the
“general journal” by using the second rule (related to real accounts) and after
posting from “journal” to the concerned “ledger” It shall be entered in the balance
sheet of the hospital/agency at the year end.
1. One must notice that the process of increasing the inventory or stock by
entering assets which were previously omitted mugs be done either b
decreasing other assets like cash in hand or bank balance or by increasing
the liabilities of the hospital pregnancy so as to maintain the “double entry
principle”.
2. When the value of supplies in hand at the end of the financial year is
negligible book keeping can be minimized during the year by regularly
debiting various department supplies and expense accounts for all purchases
made. At the end of the year, after taking the inventory, the appropriate
expense and inventory accounting will require adjustment.
Thus, the two main functions of the perpetual inventory system are:
1. Recording stores receipts and issues so as to determine at any time the stock
in hand, in quantity or value or both without the need for physical count of
stock.
Bin card: a bin card is a quantitative record of receipts issues and closing
balance of items of stores. Separate bin cards are maintained for each item of
medicine or any other material and are placed in shelves or bins or are suitably
lung up as convenient, alongside materials or medicine. If it is not possible all bin
cards may be maintained in a single place by using any of the “filing techniques”
(especially “suspended filing or circular filing is preferable in this regard).
Stores ledger: Like bin cards, the stores ledger is maintained to record all
receipt and issue transaction is respect of materials with the difference that along
with the quantities, the values (sometimes also the rate per unit quantity) are
entered in the receipt, issue and balance columns.
Unlike bin cards, here, issue or sale of medicines materials are priced by using
any of the methods shown in the section pricing of inventory” later (however, in
case of sale of medicines, materials/medicines are priced ont eh basis of actual
price of the material/medicine).
After posting in the bin cards, the receipt andissue documents are valued and
then passed on to the stores ledger clerk ofr entry in the ledger. Thus, there may be
a. Arithmetical errors
b. Posting errors in the form of commission, omission or duplication errors.
Both stores ledger and bin cards are to be compared frequently and “reconciled”
after locating the causes of difference.
The above books indicate what the balances “should be” or should have been
whereas a physical check would reveal what the balances “actually are”.
Stock may also be verified at intervals and than a year if so desired but such
a curse is expensive.
There are two types of costs namely ordering costs and carrying costs:
Carrying costs: on the other hand if one orders very large quantities, one
incurs “carrying costs”. These costs are time value of money tied up in inventory,
spoilage and storage cost.
d. Price of items
SIZE OF INVENTORY
VALUATION OF INVENTORY
1. First in first out method (FIFO): the oldest items in stock are assumed to
be issued before new stock, and the issue is priced accordingly.
Advantage: the issues and inventory are priced exactly at original cost.
Since actual prices are used, there cannot be any “profit or loss” in the
pricing arrangements. In FIFO process, the value of the stock shield on hand
is the money that has been paid for that amount of stock at latest price levels
and hence can straight away be used in balance sheet, truly reflecting the
value.
Limitations: the limitations of FIFO process are that the process becomes
unwieldy when too many changes in price levels are encountered and the
fact that this method does not provide a satisfactory answer to costing
returns from stores.
The FIFO method has the effect of maximizing the book profits
during periods of rising prices and minimizing the book profits during the
periods of falling prices. Hence under “inflationary” conditions FIFO is not
suitable.
2. Last in first out method (LIFO): The newest items in stock are assumed to
be issued before the order and priced accordingly. Strictly followed, this
method too can have the same difficulties as FIFO.
3. Average unit price method: In this method the issue price (and the price of
the inventory) is set by averaging in the quantities and the prices of each
new purchase f the item.
4. Fixed last price method: Any method which involves a lot of careful and
frequent mathematic, though more precise, may not be of sufficient
advantage to the management of or small organization to warrant the effort.
Interestingly, the above said method (simplest) is available. In this
method issues and the inventory at stock taking time are priced at the price
of the last receipt of the item.
DONATED SUPPLIES
The value assigned to these free supplies should be the selling price
prevailing in India. If supplies are of no value to the hospitals agencies their value
should be considered nil and not entered into the accounts.
NARCOTICS
This record of narcotics must be kept by every ward e.g. OPD, operating and
delivery rooms and returned to the pharmacy at regular intervals for checking.
A perpetual inventory must be maintained also for receipts and issues from
the also for rectified and methylated spirits. This inventory will be checked
annually by the local (state) excise and taxation officer before another permit is
granted.
All the above records must be kept on file for a minimum of 5 years and is
subject to government inspection at any time
RECORD OF NARCOTICS
Dat
e:
Date Time Patient name Room no I.P. no. Dose Ordered by Given by
MATERIAL MANAGEMENT
1. Planning
2. Procurement
3. Storage
4. Issue
5. Utilization
1. Reduction of cost
2. Avoidance of wastage
3. Shortages
2. Medical supplies: This includes items used along with drugs to provide
curative and preventive services eg: bandages, cotton wool, needles,
syringes, suture materials etc.
3. Non medical supplies: include such items use by health personnel like fuel,
linen, clothing’s, supplies, stationary supplies etc.
4. Equipment include movable items used by personnel which last for many
years like desks, tables, beds, cot mattress, refrigerator, vehicles.
5. Facilities include non-movable items used by personnel for many years like
buildings, latrines, wells, fencing etc.
Primarily the medical officers are concerned with the inventory control and
regular replenishment materials already stated above. But actual material
management falls on the shoulders of nurse managers. Hence, the nurse also
should know the policies and procedures for materials management.
5. Transportation of materials.
7. Issuing materials.
3. All the insecticide and disinfectants kept separately under the custody of
pharmacist.
5. All linen should be stored in compartment under the custody of store keeper.
The Health Assistant (M) in collaboration with the health Assistant (F) is
required to check at regular intervals at sub-centers, the availability of requisite
medicine and replenishment of items and preventive maintenance.
For any nursing technique or procedure from very simple to complex and
invasive nursing procedures, materials are required, be it administration of an oral
medication an intra muscular injection or performance of a dressing, materials are
essential.
A word is often referred to as a nursing unity. This implies that a ward is actually under the
control of the nurse in charge for its maintenance activities. Material management consequently
is an onus that lies on the nurse in charge as well on all members of the nursing team.
1. Ensuring regular and adequate flow of supply of necessary equipment, supplies, drugs
and solutions.
2. Monitoring and sustaining the quality and safety of the materials used including drugs
and solutions issuing of items ofnt he basis of “first in Fjirst out” and regular checking of
expiry dates of drugs contribute towards safety.
7. Arranging for condemnation of articles in accordance with the laid down policies of the
organization and maintaining of a dead stock register.
11. Orienting nursing personnel on material management policies from time to time
12. Evaluating the efficacy of the material management system followed in particular nursing
unit.