Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to economize on hospital equipment.

Aim:

To be able to keep the hospital operational costs as low as possible without compromising the quality of services.

Definition:

Economy of the hospital may simply mean to keep the hospital operational costs as low as possible without compromising the quality of services.
It is the responsibility of everybody in the hospital to see that hospital expenditure is kept very low.

Drugs are the most expensive among operational costs;

Health workers should properly handle all the medicine and sundries and avoid any wastage.

Electric Machines:

As soon as they are out of order a requisition should be made to have them inspected and repaired.

Food: (for hospitals that feed patients)

The food is ordered according to the number of patients on the ward to avoid excess. Unused food must be returned to the kitchen. Food left by the patients must be discarded.

Dressings:

Cotton wool, lint and gauze are very expensive items and should be only used for the purpose for which they are intended.

Water/Electricity:

Switch off light after use. Do not leave water running after use.
When a light fuses, the nurse should report it immediately.

Handling of Equipment:

All hospital equipment should be kept on the wards in order to control the amount and avoid losses. Any faulty equipment should be reported for immediately replacement.