2. Definition
– Material management is the management and control of
medical, surgical, clerical and interdepartmental services and
equipment from acquisition on floor to disposition
- JUDITH A
– Material management is the scientific technique concerned with
planning, organizing, and contorl of flow of materials from their
initial purchase to destination
-THOMAS F WALLACE AND JOHN R DOUGHERTY
3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSE ADMINISRATORS/HEAD NURSES
• Accountable for maintaining adequate equipment and
supplies in the ward for better patient care
• Responsible for keeping an adequate amount of
equipment and supplies in the wards for delivering
nursing services
• Formulates and maintains policy about procurement,
inventory control, maintenanace and condemnation
• He/she should have a sound knowledge of the
requirements of materials in each unit under his or her
department.
4. • Forecast the demands of supplies and equipments every
year and should submit request for purchase.
• Responsible for coordinating all departments regarding
purchase and utilization of materials
• Partcipate in the planning process of material
management and ensure the procurement of quality
materials
• He/she is involved in material planning along with top
level management and the purchasing committee. Ensure
the quality and standard of the materials.
5. • He/she ensures that records of supplies and equipments
are accurate. It should be checked periodically.
• Give feedback about the materials, regarding functioning
and quality to the purchase department
6. • e. Make sure that all the personnel in the ward should
clearly know who may use ward articles and equipments
and who assumes responsibility for it .
7. • Make sure that equipments and supplies are in good
conditions
• c. put in a requisition for necessary equipment for repair
and maintenance when needed.
• d. Make sure that equipments and supplies are
conveniently located
8. • 3. f. The head nurse must be vigilant and prevent waste
or misuse by educating the staff in the economical and
appropriate use of all equipments and materials. g. She
may sometimes arrange a ward class to enable the staff
to know the cost of the equipment and materials. h. She
takes three steps to ensure an adequate stock of
available supplies in the ward or unit: i. Set a standard for
the quantity of each item to be maintained in the ward all
the time. j. Have a satisfactory system for replacement of
broken or worn out equipment. k. Make regular
inventories of all the items.
9. • Responsibilities of the ward sister Keeping in mind
the sufficient supply of materials Materials should be in
good conditions. Giving responsibilities to handle
supply and equipments. Checking for misuse and how
to minimize it. Educating the ward staffs and other
health care workers in the economical use of materials.
