A new material management strategy was developed by the Materials and Systems Coordinator, using more than 125 UNICELL® systems to contain and control over 10,000 different supply items.

It was a two-step strategy; organize supplies and stock them where they were needed, and then reduce inventories to the minimum needed to function efficiently.

With UNICELL®, they provide a specific location for each item and have cut their inventory by one-third, because the stock is better organized and easier to inventory. In addition, items are stored more efficiently for substantial space savings.

Once they saw the tremendous space savings and efficiency gains that UNICELL® provided to sterile storage, they decided to utilize the cells throughout the hospital.

UNICELL® storage systems are now located in sterile storage, orthopedics, central service processing, anesthesia work rooms, and Patient Care Unit.

Sterile storage uses more than 90 UNICELL® units for a variety of supplies. Most units are hung on wall-mounted rails with easy-to-use transporter carts available to lift them on or off for relocation. Several others are mounted on casters to create flexible storage and transportation units. The department also uses tall storage units, small "restock" carts that roll wherever needed, and two mobile workstations.

Orthopedics uses a four-cell, rail-mounted module.  The system allows them to store plaster rolls in drawers to minimize mess. Before, they were stored down the hall, which hindered efficiency. 

Sterile processing has several units including three mobile workstations which staff use to assemble and wrap trays of instruments for specific procedures. UNICELL® also stores peel-packs and other small disposable items that are added to the instrument trays prior to sterilization.

Each OR has a mobile cart for small supplies and a taller one for bulky items. And Pre-op has two small carts that fit under workstations to provide compact storage of IV supplies and other miscellaneous items.  It is a big plus to be able to move the units where and when they are needed.

Despite downsizing of the anesthesia work room, UNICELL® units consolidate all necessary items to one area.  The storage capacity provided in this small room is phenomenal, they more than doubled the capacity.

The Patient Care Unit has a rail-mounted module with three large cells to store supplies for specialized procedures, and another smaller cell system which is conveniently located by workstations and patient beds for quick access.

They achieved a tremendous space savings in work areas. By using UNICELL®, they are able to store in 36 sq. ft., the same supplies that took up 200 sq. ft. when they used steel rack shelves.

UNICELL® is extremely flexible, which is important for the wide variety of materials they store.  They like the fact that all of the drawers, trays, and shelves pull out fully for easy access. They can completely load the units with heavy loads like IV solutions, and the sides will not bow. Furthermore, they can attach things like holders for oversized catheters to the side walls without weakening the units.

UNICELL® has proven to be an outstanding addition to the Department of Surgical Services.