Introduction

     This prospective study will analyze the factors and variables that influence the decision to implement a point of use (POU) system at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC).  The goals are two-fold: (a) to meet the academic requirements for the administrative resident assigned to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center; and (b) to make recommendations regarding the feasibility of deploying a point of use system in the facility.  

     Landstuhl Regional Medical Center serves as the primary, definitive-care, medical treatment facility (MTF) for over 299,800 beneficiaries assigned to the European theatre of operations.  The theatre of operations consists of Europe, Northern Africa, Southwest Asia, and other geopolitical sectors in the region.  In addition to active duty service members, the hospital treats non-military patients such as family members, Department of Defense (DOD) civilians, military retirees, Department of Defense Dependent School (DODDS) personnel, civilian contractors, and other NATO personnel.  LRMC supports a population of 49,950 through the operation of 36 inpatient wards and outpatient clinics and 10 ancillary services.  LRMC also operates 8 health clinics located in Baumholder, Dexheim, Kaiserslautern, and Wiesbaden, Germany; Livorno and Vicenza, Italy; NATO Headquarters and SHAPE, Belgium.  These eight clinics serve a population of 47,200 beneficiaries.

     Point of Use (POU), as referred to in this research, is defined as an automated system used for the storage, dispensing, and inventorying of medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical supplies in a patient care setting.  A POU system consists of a storage cabinet, a network server that serves to communicate with all cabinets in the facility, and an interface with the patient information system as well as the supply system.  The cabinet consists of shelves for large items and bins for smaller items.  POU utilizes computer automation to monitor the quantity on hand, record when an item is removed from the cabinet, and order additional items when the inventory reaches a pre-established level, known as the re-order point.  POU systems often involve user identifiers and passwords to track who accesses the system and what items are removed.  Although a POU system automates the ordering process, the stocking and maintaining of cabinets is done manually.

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