System and Method For Providing Disposable Drawer Inserts For Medical And Surgical Carts

Abstract

A disposable drawer insert system and method is disclosed for refilling components in medical and surgical carts. The disposable drawer insert system and method includes at least one disposable drawer insert adapted for insertion into one or more drawers in the carts and a predetermined set of components resident in the at least one disposable drawer insert. The predetermined set of components is associated with medical and surgical procedures. The at least one disposable drawer insert containing the predetermined set of components is packaged and delivered as a single unit for insertion into the carts.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for medical supply inventory replenishment comprising:
 providing a first container at a first location, the first container having a first shape;   configuring the first container to comprise a plurality of compartments within the first container;   identifying a particular medical or surgical procedure to be associated with the first container;   prepackaging a set of medical components into the configured first container to form a first single unit container, the set of medical components including a plurality of types of medical supplies, each type of medical supply having a predetermined quantity based on the particular medical or surgical procedure identified;   prepackaging a first compartment with a first type of the plurality of types of medical supplies, and prepackaging a second compartment with a second type of the plurality of types of medical supplies;   delivering the first single unit container to an end use location; and   replacing the first single unit container with a second single unit container at the end use location in response to a first predetermined event.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first predetermined event is a first time period that expires prior to complete depletion of at least one of the first and second types of supplies. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first predetermined event is a complete depletion of at least one of the first and second types of supplies. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first predetermined event is the expiration of a predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first predetermined event is a staff change. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of depleting at least one component of the set of medical components of the first single unit container. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the step of replacing further comprising, removing the first single unit container prepackaged with a first predetermined quantity of medical supplies and inserting the second single unit container prepackaged with a second predetermined quantity of medical supplies. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising, inserting the second single unit container to replace the first single unit container, the second single unit container prepackaged with the second predetermined quantity different from the first predetermined quantity. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second single unit container contains the same type of medical supplies as the first single unit container. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the container shape is for being received in a drawer, a shelf or a cart. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising determining the quantity and types of components prior to being prepackaged in the container. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising determining the type and quantity of components based upon the particular medical or surgical procedure. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising determining the type and quantity of components based upon input of doctors, nurses and staff. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least a subset of the set of medical components are used in a first medical procedure. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 26 , replacing the first single unit container at a predetermined interval independent of the quantity of medical components remaining in the first single unit container. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising isolating the components by wrapping the single unit container after the step of prepackaging the components. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the step of delivering comprises delivering the single unit container to intermediary locations prior to delivery to the end use location. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the end use location is a patient treatment location. 
     
     
         44 . A method for reducing the number of items handled in a medical component replenishment system comprising:
 receiving an order for a plurality of medical components identified with a particular medical or surgical procedure;   providing a container for dispensing a plurality of assorted predetermined components based on the particular medical or surgical procedure identified, the container comprising a plurality of subdivided portions including at least a first subdivided portion and a second subdivided portion, each subdivided portion configured to receive a single one of the plurality of assorted predetermined components;   pre-filling the container, prior to deployment to an end use location, with the plurality of assorted predetermined components such that one component type is inserted into the first subdivided portion, wherein the pre-filling comprises inserting into the container at least a first quantity of a first component into the first subdivided portion of the container and a second quantity of a second component into the second subdivided portion; and   delivering the container to a storage location as a pre-filled single unit container including the plurality of assorted predetermined components.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising receiving unused components from the delivered container for repackaging in a new pre-filled single unit container. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising determining an unused component quantity of each type of component and determining a new quantity for the type of component to be prefilled into replacement containers. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising receiving at least one replacement container having the unused components from the end use location. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising pre-filling the single unit container with a predetermined par level of the plurality of assorted predetermined components. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising determining the par-level for a component by monitoring an average depletion rate. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of pre-filling the container occurs in a clean room. 
     
     
         51 . A method for providing a medical supply availability and replenishment program comprising:
 receiving a plurality of containers, each container having a set of medical component types, each component type of the set of components having a predetermined quantity;   identifying a particular medical or surgical procedure to be associated with a first container of the plurality of containers, the set of medical component types of the first container having a predetermined quantity based on the particular medical or surgical procedure identified;   putting the first container of the plurality of containers into use; and   replacing the first container with a second container after a predetermined condition has been met.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 delivering the second container from a storage area to an end use location;   unwrapping the second container; and   replacing the first container with the second container.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein putting the containers into use further comprises:
 delivering the second container from a storage area to an unwrapping location;   unwrapping the second container; and   replacing the first container with the second container at an end use location.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising removing the first container having at least one remaining medical component. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claims 54 , further comprising returning the first container, including any remaining medical components, to a supplier of the pre-filled container. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein each set of medical components types in each container of the plurality of containers is an identical set of components. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising returning any remaining medical components from the first container to a rack having unused components.