The Directing Process in Nursing Management

Types of equipment

Equipment is divided into two types

• Consumable equipment They are used for a short time, such as medical cotton, single-use syringes, etc
• Non-consumable equipment It lasts for several years and needs care and maintenance
• This equipment is divided into two types, fixed and non-fixed
• Fixed non-consumable equipment is the equipment installed on the wall or floor of the hospital, such as sinks, sterilization devices, etc
• Non-consumable mobile or non-fixed equipment includes tools that are used for more than five years, such as wheelchairs, trolleys, etc

Equipment Management Procedures

There are four main procedures in equipment management

• demand
• Storage
• Exchange
• Monitoring and maintenance

- 1  Equipment request

The equipment request includes the following skills

• Prepare a list of needs and resources based on knowledge of past usage and an estimate of current usage rate
• Balancing needs and available resources and estimating costs
• Fill out the application form

2 - Equipment storage  

• Equipment can be stored in one of two places
• A main or reserve store where quantities are kept and not used
• Where to use equipment after it has been released from storage
• Equipment storage requires the following skills
• Recording the receipt of new items and recording what is issued from them
• Maintain daily inventory records or cards

- 3  Equipment disbursement 

• The nurse is responsible for some equipment For example, the nurse in the maternity ward is responsible for scales, syringes, serums, birth equipment, and other devices
• After ordering the equipment, receiving it, and then recording it in the inventory book or register, it can be dispensed whenever needed
• There are three written procedures that are followed when dispensing equipment and are recorded in the designated records
• Record the expenditure ie writing the expenditure in the inventory book
• Issuing a disbursement order for signature
• Register the assets of the department that receives and uses the equipment

- 4  Equipment monitoring and maintenance

• Consumable equipment needs to be monitored to avoid wasting it, while non-consumable equipment needs maintenance to keep it in a usable condition
• Equipment monitoring and maintenance requires the following skills
• Convince workers of the need to clean equipment and keep it in good condition
• Use an inspection checklist
• Detect any equipment discrepancies and determine the cause

The importance and benefits of equipment records

• Referring to previous order records makes it easier to prepare subsequent orders, whether after a month or a year, as it is possible to identify the supplier’s address, item number, and quantities required under normal circumstances
• Knowing how much is in your inventory record is a good indicator of when to order more supplies, avoiding long periods without essential equipment
• Disbursement permits determine who is responsible for taking care of equipment or breaking or damaging it, and they also encourage workers to take responsibility
• Inventory lists help to quickly inspect equipment and detect discrepancies, waste, extravagance and theft

Good management takes care of equipment by

• Educating workers and motivating them to feel responsible for the equipment they use
• Request supplies when needed
• Proper storage of equipment
• Monitor equipment usage