From treats to treating patients: How a new vending machine is providing life-saving equipment to our wards V
ending machines often provide a quick drink or snack, however thanks to the innovation of our resuscitation team, there’s a new life saving vending machine at NGH. The new machine stocks lifesaving resuscitation equipment and is designed to give ward teams access to specialist equipment to replenish stock as and when they need it. The new initiative from the resuscitation team aims to save time and waste, while providing easier access to equipment for staff. While they won’t be used to provide apparatus in an emergency situation these vending machines give staff the ability to restock their own resuscitation trollies instead of relying on the resuscitation team. Jo Rainsley, resuscitation officer explained how the idea came about: “We were looking for a way to make it easier for staff to access the resuscitation equipment they need with minimal input from us. While we’re always on hand to answer any queries and help with stock we needed to come up with a simpler system to help us save time and stop wastage. “Every ward had a spares box which allows them to restock their resuscitation trolley. Traditionally when stock was used from these spares boxes the complete box would be sent back to us for restocking. This process is laborious and involves us checking all of the items, resealing everything and checking the expiry dates. Each restock takes us at least 20 minutes so with over 30 wards that time could be spent providing training and other support to the hospital. “We’d heard that another hospital was using a vending machine so contacted them
6 ❘ Insight
to find out more. We approached the same company that they had used and they were keen to get on board and help us to see how one could work. They came and collected a bag of kit from us and then created the vending machine and automated lockers for us.” The new machine provides 24/7 access to kit and allows team to restock their trolley whenever they need to. It works in the same way as a normal vending machine with the only difference being that the teams have a fob instead of coins to collect their items.
Every ward has an individual fob for their ward which means that the teams only pay for what they use. The resuscitation team also has a record of what needs restocking and which items are in high demand. As well as the ease of access for the wards the machine also allows the team to centrally monitor expiry dates and ensure that goods are restocked. Bailey McFall, resuscitation and simulation administrator explained how the machine is already saving time: “Having this machine saves us so much time. We used to have at least two boxes every day to restock but now we don’t. We can monitor the stock and keep an eye on it to make sure it’s functioning correctly. It means now we just come and check the machine a couple of times a week rather than packing spares boxes.” Jo explained how the machine has been received by staff: “Now the initial disappoint that there’s no chocolate has passed, people seem to be really positive about it! The staff who are using it love it and those areas which haven’t got one yet are keen to find out when they will be getting one.”
The difference between a cardiac arrest and heart attack
A cardiac arrest is an electrical problem when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. The person will be unconscious. Call 999 and start CPR. A heart attack is a circulation problem when there is a sudden loss of blood flow to a part of your heart muscle. The person will be conscious. Call 999 and keep them calm.