The importance of inventory management in health sector: Sample application in oral and dental health center

Stock management is very important for health institutions to continue their activities effectively and efficiently.The aim of inventory management is to determine the activities that will minimize all stock costs that will increase the profits of enterprise and will provide the material efficiency. Health institutions must serve without interrupting medical examination and treatment. This can be achieved by correct and efficient stock management. In any medical or dental health care center, a major part of the financial budget is spent for the purchase, storage and distribution of materials and equipment. The aim of inventory management to provide the effective and efficient management of materials and equipment; so that the right materials are available at the right time, at the right place, at the least cost. Healthcare professionals need to find effective and efficient ways to improve and optimize inventory in order to meet the growing demand of healthcare products. In this context, stock control methods are widely used for effective and efficient material management. These methods provide adequate stock of required basic materials and ensure their supply without interruption. The aim of this study is to evaluate material stocks in Oral and Dental Health Center according to inventory control methods ABC, VED and ABCVED matrix analyses and to contribute to the improvement of the stock control process. This study is a descriptive study which will retrospectively examine and evaluate the materials used in 2018 in the Oral and Dental Health Center and the stock and financial management of these materials according to ABC, VED, ABC-VED matrix analysis. Key Words: Health Institutions, Inventory Management, ABC–VED Analysis