PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 8
Second Edition
Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
1
Managing Office Supplies
Objectives
81 Give examples of vital, incidental, and periodic
supplies used in a typical medical office.
82 Describe how to store administrative and clinical
supplies.
83 Implement a system for tracking the inventory of
supplies.
84 Schedule inventories and ordering times to
maximize office efficiency.
2
Managing Office Supplies (cont.)
Objectives
85 Locate and evaluate supply sources.
86 Use strategies to obtain the bestquality
supplies while controlling cost.
87 Follow procedures for ordering supplies.
88 Check a supply order and pay for the
supplies.
3
Organizing Medical Office Supplies
Goal of
managing
office
supplies
is to
achieve
efficiency
Durable
items are
used
indefinitely
Efficiency
Least
possible:
•Expense
•Cost
•Waste
Supplies
Expendable Items
Expendable
items are
those that
must be
4 restocked
Determining Responsibility for
Organizing Supplies
It is common for one or two individuals to
handle the organizing of supplies.
One may be responsible for administrative
supplies and the other clinical supplies.
In large practices, at times a third individual
may handle supplies for the durable items
such as computer, fax, and copiers, etc.
5
Categorizing Supplies
Types of Supplies
Administrative
Clinical
• Stationary
• Insurance Forms
• Pens
• Clipboards
• Alcohol swabs
• Disposable sheaths
• Tongue depressors
General
• Tissue
• Paper towels
• Hypoallergenic soap
6
Categorizing Supplies (cont.)
A supply list can help track and categorize supplies
according to need and urgency.
Incidental
Supplies
Vital
Supplies
Periodic
Supplies
7
Storing Office Supplies
Store in a neat, organized manner to
prevent:
Loss
Theft
Damage
Deterioration
8
Storing Office Supplies (cont.)
Location
Items are normally kept close to areas of use.
Storage Cabinet
Label storage cabinets and boxes to facilitate
location of items with ease.
Note the shelf life of items and place older items
in the front to be used first.
Always check expiration dates.
9
Storing Office Supplies (cont.)
• Store paper products flat in
their boxes or packages.
• Information booklets may
be stored upright to save
space.
• Envelopes and other paper
goods with gummed
surfaces must be kept dry to
prevent them from sticking.
10
Storing Office Supplies (cont.)
• Implement the rules of good
housekeeping and asepsis.
• All sterile dressing and
bandage materials must be
kept sterile.
• Chemicals, drugs, and
solutions should be kept in a
cool, dark place unless
refrigeration is required.
• Poisons and narcotics are to be
stored separately.
11
Apply Your Knowledge
The medical assistant is placing new gauze
pads in the storage cabinets and finds a box
of gauze that are discolored. What does this
possibly indicate?
12
Apply Your Knowledge Answer
The medical assistant is placing new gauze
pads in the storage cabinets and finds a box
of gauze that are discolored. What does this
possibly indicate?
This could signal that supplies are not
being rotated properly where older items
are used first.
13
Taking Inventory of Office Supplies
Inventory
A list of supply items and quantities on hand
Accurate inventories prevents the office from running
out of needed supplies
Keeping the inventory accurate requires:
Careful Planning
Attention to Detail
Basic Math Skills
14
Taking Inventory of Office Supplies
(cont.)
Inventory Filing System
Reorder Reminder Cards
Understanding Your
Responsibilities
Inventory Card
Inventory Reminder Kits
15
Scheduling Inventory and Ordering
Established Ordering Times
When To Order Ahead of Schedule
Selecting the same weekday for monthly ordering helps
others know when to place requests.
Ordering ahead ensures that items will not become
depleted.
Unanticipated Shortage of a Supply Item
If an item is almost depleted well in advance of the
scheduled reorder time, place the order immediately to
prevent running out of the item.
16
Locating and Evaluating
Supply Vendors
Get the
best prices
$
Use
reputable
vendors
• Average is
Determine
46% of
what % of the
annual gross
budget is
needed
Compare
Vendors
for:
• Prices
• Quality
• Service
• Payment
Policies
17
Competitive Pricing and Quality
Unit Pricing
Tends to be less since a
larger quantity is
purchased at one time
To calculate divide
total cost of package by
number of package by
number of items
contained in package
Rush Orders
Prevent the need to
place rush orders by
learning average
delivery time for each
vendor
Rush orders tend to cost
more
18
Competitive Pricing and Quality
(cont.)
Mail Order
Companies
Usually saves money
More potential to have
some hidden charges
Less control over the
order
Group Buying Pools
Purchasing Groups
Groups of physicians
that order supplies
together in order to
obtain bulk rate
discounts
Larger groups can save
an average of 20%
Convenient for medical offices in the
same building
Average savings equals 10% to 20%
19
Benefits of Using Local Vendors
• Local Vendors and Dealers
• May offer special services in an emergency
situation
• May offer personal assistance such as helping
with inventory
• Are a part of the community, and good
relations between them and the physicians
are a plus
20
Payment Schedules
Vendor
Payment
Terms
Vendor’s Invoice
• Usually describes terms of
payments. Some examples include:
• No handling charges for prepaid
orders
• Discounts if checks are enclosed
with the order
• Delayed billing for 30 to 90
days
21
Storage Space as a Cost Factor
Consider the amount of storage
space before ordering
A vendor may allow you to take
partial shipments on large orders
22
Ordering Procedures
Order Forms
Orders can be made with traditional
order forms or telephone, fax, and on
line orders
Be sure to keep a copy of order form
Double check order and form
completed for accuracy
23
Ordering Procedures
Purchase Requisitions
Requisitions are formal requests for purchases
Large purchases may require permission and
approval from the physician
Purchase Orders
Forms that are often preprinted with consecutive
numbers
Authorize a purchase for a medical practice
24
Checking Orders Received
Record the date orders are received.
Check the shipment packing slip (a
description of package contents) against the
ordered equipment to ensure all merchandise
are received.
Spend the required time to ensure that all
ordered and charged supplies are enclosed in
the package.
25