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.

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 all the effort may be put in place for safer and effective utilities in the medical field, situations have been reported where the utilities are ineffective. These categories of utilities are usually very sensitive in environmental conditions like temperature, moisture, light or even pressure and will easily deteriorate when stored in improper conditions for a long duration. Sometimes the defectiveness of these supplies can be blamed on manufacturers.

Health acquired conditions are for instance the injuries sustained, infections or illness that are associated with the health facility. A patient get injured or infected when seeking better health. The result is that there is an additional financial burden, longer hospital stay in hospitals or even permanent deformity or death from these infections or injuries. Effective and safer medical supply contributes immensely in eliminating such unprecedented and unexpected medical conditions.

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.

It however still remains the sole responsibility of the manufacturers and suppliers of the medical supply equipment, medicines and other related chemicals to ensure that such items are best of quality. The regulatory bodies on the other hand must tighten laws and regulations and double their effort to ensure the health sector remains risk free.




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