Ordering supplies

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Before I reinvent the wheel....

We seem to be running out of supplies, alot. Anything from Kleenex to body soap, gloves and treatment supplies. Does anyone have a general formula on how they order these?

I'm trying to be part of the solution and think this through and help come up with some suggestions.

I haven't done the ordering in years but when I did...we would look at the census trends. When ordering wound care supplies, I would review the orders to find out what was popular...did we have any residents with a large amount of wounds or who needed extra supplies (ex..a resident with a huge stage 4 that needed packed with 4 rolls of kerlix 3 times a day and also required 4 abd pads with each change)....I would consider upping my kerlix and abd order.

What about personal care supplies? Body soap..average one bottle per resident per week? Assuming they would get 1-2 showers a week, washed daily and inct care prn.

Maybe it is just using common sense? (it is to me)