Title: Inventory system analysis for an operation theatre: a hospital case study

Authors: R.R. Pradeep; A. Prabukarthi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641004, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641004, India

Abstract: To effectively manage the inventory in a hospital operation theatre (OT) by classifying products, proposing the inventory cost model, and simulation study are inevitable This study focuses on inventory management of drugs and medical consumables in an OT of a hospital. The inventory was classified based on always better control (ABC) and vital essential desirable (VED) analysis. A mathematical model has been developed with the objective of minimising the total inventory cost. The inventory system of an OT has been simulated to measure the system performance. Out of 111 products used 37% products falls either in class A or Class V or both. The simulation results suggest an average daily inventory level to be maintained in an OT for critical products. Since healthcare industry requires 100% service level and deals with perishable items, shortage cost and expiry factor are considered. Simulation results provide insight on utilisation of critical resources.

Keywords: ABC analysis; inventory management; VED analysis; operation theatre; expiry factor; healthcare service.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMTH.2017.086815

International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality, 2017 Vol.1 No.3, pp.300 - 316

Received: 13 Feb 2017
Accepted: 10 Mar 2017
Published online: 28 Sep 2017 *

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