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This article describes the benefits of implementing a new technology to control inventory in the cath lab. A startup company called Wavemark has developed an inventory control system that incorporates radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Wavemark, in collaboration with a major manufacturer of cardiology supplies, chose St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) in Utica to test its new system.
Specially designed storage shelves were installed in one of the cath labs and a storeroom at SEMC in July of 2005. One year later, the experience with using this simple yet sophisticated system was that the Wavemark RFID system for inventory control saved SEMC money. Most cath lab inventory items are costly and have a relatively short shelf life, which justifies the allocation of staff and resources to manage them. Wavemark’s business model is to sell subscriptions for its service. The user does not have to purchase the equipment or manage any information system. Wavemark makes the implementation “turnkey” to the user. Controlling inventory requires access to timely, accurate and pertinent data. St. Elizabeth Medical Center was the first hospital that Wavemark used to test the new product.
The article explains specific instances of how the SEMC cath lab used the data to reduce costs and ensure that quantities of items on hand met the cath lab’s needs without being over or under supplied.
To read the entire article visit www.cathlabdigest.com under Archives, October 2006, Volume 14, Issue 10.
Mohawk Valley Heart Institute At St. Elizabeth Medical Center Featured In National Magazine For Inventory Control System
Halsey Bagg, MSHS, CHE, Director of Cardiology Services, St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Co-Coordinator of Mohawk Valley Heart Institute (MVHI), recently wrote an article that was published in Cath Lab Digest, a national publication for Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Specialist. The article discussed a new inventory control system used to identify specific objects through the use of freckle-sized computer chips.This article describes the benefits of implementing a new technology to control inventory in the cath lab. A startup company called Wavemark has developed an inventory control system that incorporates radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Wavemark, in collaboration with a major manufacturer of cardiology supplies, chose St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) in Utica to test its new system.
Specially designed storage shelves were installed in one of the cath labs and a storeroom at SEMC in July of 2005. One year later, the experience with using this simple yet sophisticated system was that the Wavemark RFID system for inventory control saved SEMC money. Most cath lab inventory items are costly and have a relatively short shelf life, which justifies the allocation of staff and resources to manage them. Wavemark’s business model is to sell subscriptions for its service. The user does not have to purchase the equipment or manage any information system. Wavemark makes the implementation “turnkey” to the user. Controlling inventory requires access to timely, accurate and pertinent data. St. Elizabeth Medical Center was the first hospital that Wavemark used to test the new product.
The article explains specific instances of how the SEMC cath lab used the data to reduce costs and ensure that quantities of items on hand met the cath lab’s needs without being over or under supplied.
To read the entire article visit www.cathlabdigest.com under Archives, October 2006, Volume 14, Issue 10.