[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","author":{"@type":"Person","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cindy-blye-rn-bsn-ccm","honorificSuffix":["BSN","CCM","RN"],"alumniOf":"https:\/\/nursing.wvu.edu\/","jobTitle":"Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager","affiliation":["https:\/\/authorsguild.org\/","https:\/\/healthjournalism.org\/"],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cindy-blye.jpg","name":"Cindy Blye","height":"884","width":"885","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cindy-blye.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/web-based-security-system-benefits\/","name":"Cindy Blye","description":"Cindy Blye, BSN, RN, CCM is a Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager. She is an Alumni of West Virginia University School of Nursing (BSN), and a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and The Authors Guild.","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/author\/cindy-blye\/#person"},"about":[{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q987767","name":"wiki-physical-container","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q987767"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q9158768","name":"wiki-storage","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q9158768"}],"mentions":[{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q583725","name":"wiki-center-for-disease-control-and-prevention-cdc","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q583725"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q2637814","name":"wiki-shelf","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q2637814"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q5657858","name":"wiki-hospital-administration","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q5657858"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/hospital-open-storage-systems\/"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/enhance-efficiency-and-organization-with-open-storage-systems-article-image-01.jpg","name":"Enhancing Efficiency and Organization","height":["1152","1152"],"width":["2048","2048"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/enhance-efficiency-and-organization-with-open-storage-systems-article-image-01.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/hospital-open-storage-systems\/","dateModified":["2023-06-20T00:00:00-04:00","2023-06-20T00:00:00Z"],"name":"Enhance Efficiency and Organization with Open Storage Systems","headline":"Enhance Efficiency and Organization with Open Storage Systems","articleBody":"Choosing open storage systems that work for a hospital\u2019s storage spaces can be challenging. Supply room managers must find solutions that provide maximum storage space without compromising airflow, maneuverability, and cleanliness. \n\nThis article will discuss a few regulatory guidelines concerning medical supply storage, the advantages and disadvantages of using open storage systems, and which supplies are appropriate for storage in wire rack and bin systems.\n\nWhat Do Regulatory Agencies Say about Hospital Supply Storage Areas?\nThe Joint Commission reported that in 2021 auditors found that hospitals had difficulty meeting the standard of reducing supply-, device-, and medical equipment-associated infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cost the U.S. healthcare industry $30 billion yearly. \n\nSupply rooms, where supplies are stored just before patient use, are a line of defense against HAIs. As such, supply room managers must heed regulatory guidelines that discuss how and where supplies are stored, such as:\n\nThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires that facilities maintain a clean and sanitary environment as part of their infection prevention and control program. Surveyors want to see aseptic storage areas and clear traffic zones.\nThe Joint Commission requires that central and surgical supply areas be climate controlled. Even departmental storage areas must have stable temperature control and good ventilation to prevent dust accumulation.\nThe CDC infection control guidelines stipulate that sterile supplies are kept 8 to 10 inches off the floor and that patient supplies are not stored under liquids or beneath sinks or pipes.\nAnd while it may be tempting to overstock supplies or case packs onto wire storage racks, rough handling can cause tears or punctures in packaging. The CDC reports that research has shown that damaged packaging can introduce organisms into sterile or aseptic patient supplies. Supplies with damaged or moist packaging must be discarded or reprocessed before use to prevent the spread of pathogens.\n\nWhat Are Some Advantages of Open Supply Storage Systems?\nIn secured supply rooms, open shelving and bins can help maximize space, save time, and promote a clean environment. \n\nIncreased Efficiency\nStudies have shown that nurses may spend anywhere from 36 minutes to an hour or more per shift on tasks that waste their time, such as searching for supplies.\n\nOpen supply shelving with color-coded bins and shelf labeling allows staff to quickly grab what they need without sorting through drawers or cabinets. \n\nIn addition, storing frequently used items between the head and hip level can prevent staff injuries by reducing the number of times a person has to reach overhead, stoop, or bend. \n\nBetter Organization Keeps Supplies Clean\nOpen wire rack storage systems support back-to-front stocking of supplies, ensuring that items nearing expiration are used first. This method prevents the loss of expired stock. \n\nOpen supply systems support organization that keeps supplies from being crushed, scratched, punctured, or exposed to moisture or temperature changes that can cause condensation. Sterile packages that are not damaged or exposed to dirt, dust, or moisture have been shown to remain sterile for much longer than the expiration date on the package. \n\nTo prevent supplies from being handled, high-visibility labeling can reduce the need for staff to touch supplies they don\u2019t need while searching for what they do need. \n\nFlexibility\nConfigurable wire rack systems are invaluable as new medical supplies come on the market. \n\nWhen considering an open storage system, choose one that supports interchangeable bins and is adjustable to your needs. \n\nTo gain storage space in an already crowded area, choose a movable aisle system. Incorporate high-density storage in small spaces using racks that slide together while providing easy access to the supplies you need.\n\nEase of Cleaning\nRack systems, elevated above the floor with a solid bottom shelf, allow cleaning staff to wet mop without contaminating the supplies.\n\nTo ensure a deep clean, choose a flexible storage rack system that dismantles for cleaning.\n\nWhat Are Some Disadvantages of Open Storage Shelving?\nOpen shelving can become contaminated easier than closed cabinets and carts. Dust can be kicked up onto shelves and liquid spills can soak into packaging. If improperly managed, open storage can become a messy magnet in which organisms will thrive.\n\nOpen supply storage systems should only be used in appropriate areas. Clean and sterile supply rooms with positive pressure ventilation reduce dust circulation. Locked supply areas with limited access keep visitors and patients from introducing pathogens that can contaminate supplies. And staff should use good hand hygiene before entering supply areas.\n\nWhat Can Be Stored in Open Storage Systems?\nAdjustable wire storage systems can be configured to accommodate almost any medical supply item.\n\nDepartmental and central supply storage racks can store general medical supplies such as gloves, masks, gowns, syringes, and IV fluids.\n\nSterile supply rooms can be set up with open storage shelving to accommodate packaged surgical instruments, sterile surgical packs, and commonly used medications.\n\nSome items are inappropriate for open-shelf storage, such as medications that require refrigeration or hazardous materials.\n\nIn addition, cardboard boxes can trap dust, attract mice, and absorb moisture, making them potential harbingers of pathogens and should not be stored in patient supply storage areas. \n\nOpen supply storage systems can contribute to more efficient staff workflows, better organization of patient care supplies, and cleaner supply storage areas. Used in appropriate areas according to regulatory guidelines, flexible open shelving can serve a healthcare facility for many years to come.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/innerspace-healthcare-storage.png","name":"InnerSpace Healthcare Storage","height":"119","width":"460","acquireLicensePage":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/contact\/","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/innerspace-healthcare-storage.png"},"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","name":"InnerSpace Postal Address","postOfficeBoxNumber":"PO Box 2808","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"Grand Rapids","addressRegion":"Michigan","postalCode":"49501","streetAddress":"PO Box 2808","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#PostalAddress0d149542-0d37-4313-a7a4-aacb6a045936"},"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/","alternateName":"InnerSpace Healthcare","location":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#PlaceOrPostalAddress","faxNumber":"+1 616-743-5944","name":"InnerSpace","description":"InnerSpace Healthcare offers a complete line of stationary and mobile storage solutions for healthcare facilities including catheter labs, radiology, central supply and surgical services. We offer a cohesive system of medical carts, medical cabinets, and medical casework that work together for improved staff and facility efficiency","email":"cs@solairemedical.com","telephone":"+1 888-435-2256","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/innerspace-by-solaire-medical\/","brand":["https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#PaceBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#RoamBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#EvolveBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#Brand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#InnerspaceBrand"],"contactPoint":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/contact\/#CustomerService","legalName":"Solaire Medical, LLC","foundingDate":"2011-10-01","areaServed":["https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#canada","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#Organization"},"description":"Learn about regulatory guidelines concerning medical supply storage, the advantages and disadvantages of using open storage systems, and which supplies are appropriate for storage in wire rack and bin systems.","datePublished":["2023-06-20T00:00:00-04:00","2023-06-20T00:00:00Z"],"inLanguage":{"@type":"Language","name":"English","sameAs":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_English","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#English"},"copyrightYear":"2023.0","isFamilyFriendly":true,"subjectOf":{"@type":"Blog","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/","name":"News","description":"News about InnerSpace healthcare storage solutions. Offering medical carts, cabinets, and casework that change with your needs.","inLanguage":{"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#English"},"isFamilyFriendly":true,"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/"},"wordCount":896,"isAccessibleForFree":true,"timeRequired":"P0Y0M0DT0H3M46S","citation":["https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/infectioncontrol\/guidelines\/disinfection\/sterilization\/sterilizing-practices.html","https:\/\/www.cms.gov\/files\/document\/qso-22-20-hospitals.pdf","https:\/\/www.jointcommission.org\/-\/media\/tjc\/newsletters\/quick-safety-65-packaged-sterile-devices-6-20-22-final.pdf"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/hospital-open-storage-systems\/"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Enhance Efficiency and Organization with Open Storage Systems","item":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/hospital-open-storage-systems\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]