The EKORA® Stock Manager Module is a vital part of the EKORA® platform enabling hospital staff to effectively and accurately track and maintain inventory, helping reduce errors whilst also supporting important patient safety initiatives such as the UK-wide NHS Scan4Safety campaign.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran has been using the EKORA® Stock Module alongside the Devices and Cath Lab modules since they started using EKORA® in 2020. We discussed its use with Jacqui Latta, a highly specialised Clinical Physiologist based in University Hospital Crosshouse and University Hospital Ayr.

How do you use the EKORA® Stock Manager system in NHS Ayrshire & Arran?

It is currently used by Cardiology across the region alongside the EKORA® Devices and Cath Lab modules. We use it to log all stock coming into the department using the barcode scanner that enters the data from the manufacturer directly into EKORA® including essential information such as serial numbers and expiry dates. We can also easily assign it to a purchase order number if required and whether it is a consignment item.

What are the benefits of using the EKORA® Stock Manager?

There are many benefits of using EKORA®.

1. Firstly we don’t have to search through cupboards like we used to do. We can see at a glance the stock situation. This is particularly beneficial as we work across multiple sites and can see all the stock available across the region.
2. The colour-coded traffic light system automatically set by expiry dates gives a warning when stock is nearing its use-by date, it moves to top of the view in EKORA® and we also get an alert to enable us to either use the stock quickly or get it replaced. This enables us to manage the stock planning, and therefore the budget, better.
3. It saves a huge amount of time in an implant situation as we can simply scan the item and it automatically marks it as implanted on EKORA® – giving the whole team an accurate and up-to-date picture of the stock available.
4. We often lend or give other hospitals stock in an emergency. With EKORA® we can see at a glance if it is available and get it to the other hospital quickly, providing much better patient care and helping to drive efficiencies.

What did you use before EKORA® Stock Manager?

Like many other hospitals and departments we were reliant on a paper-based system and used an old pharmacy book to record stock and stickers from the items. Working across different sites made this incredibly time consuming and at risk of errors as it was easily not kept up to date and accurate.

What impact has it had on your department?

It has dramatically improved our stock management efficiency and accuracy, helping the department to run more smoothly. I can’t say enough about it as it has simplified this vital part of our role immensely. The support from the EKORA® team is also second to none.

To find out more about EKORA® and the Stock Manager Module get in touch for a demo.