How often should inventory checks be conducted for critical medical supplies?

Conducting inventory checks for critical medical supplies at least once a month is essential to ensure that healthcare facilities are adequately prepared and equipped to meet patient needs. This frequency allows for timely identification of discrepancies, supports the management of stock levels, and helps prevent shortages that could adversely affect patient care. Monthly checks ensure that any issues related to inventory, such as expiration dates, damage, or miscounting, are caught and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining an effective supply chain.

Other options do not provide sufficient frequency for critical supplies. Quarterly checks may lead to gaps in monitoring that could allow stock issues to develop unnoticed for too long. While twice-a-year checks may suffice for non-critical items, critical supplies require more rigorous oversight to ensure their availability and safety. Conducting inventory checks only when stock appears low disregards proactive management strategies and could result in dangerous shortages or wasted supplies if items go missing or expire without being noticed.