Hospitals and care homes must be ready to handle a wide range of situations, including those that are difficult to anticipate, such as a larger than expected number of deaths. Most hospitals and care homes keep a stock of body bags to accommodate the expected number of deaths, usually modelled by comparing year on year or seasonal averages, but what happens when the supply of body bags runs out, e.g. during a sudden bad flu or Covid outbreak, or following supply chain issues?
Although it's a topic many healthcare workers and procurement managers prefer not to think about, it's a reality that must be faced. This article explores what happens when a hospital or care home runs out of body bags and how to prevent this from occurring.
The impact of running out of body bags
Running out of body bags can have several consequences. First, there's the immediate logistical challenge of managing deceased bodies in a professional and dignified manner. Without body bags, facilities may resort to using sheets or other materials, which can compromise the integrity of handling procedures.
Secondly, there's a health risk involved. Body bags are designed to contain bodily fluids and prevent the spread of infections, as well as forestall or slow down the natural process of decomposition. Without body bags, dead bodies will start to decompose at ambient temperatures within hours, causing odours and attracting flies, and staff members will be at a heightened risk of exposure to potential pathogens.
Thirdly, running out of body bags can affect morale among staff members. It can bring to light the stark reality of mortality and disease, which can be emotionally taxing even on experienced and trained healthcare professionals.
Preventing a shortage
To prevent a shortage of body bags, it's important to choose a reliable supplier that keeps a good choice of products continually in stock and provides guaranteed same day dispatch. Slik Pak, for example, is a trusted provider of body bags for hospitals and care homes across the UK and internationally: we offer a range of products to meet various needs, from child body bags to adult sizes.
What sets Slik Pak apart is our ability to deliver quickly in response to emerging needs. In emergency situations where a rapid response is required, our responsive customer service and rapid delivery speed ensures that healthcare facilities can maintain an adequate supply of body bags, even throughout periods of increased demand.
Regular inventory checks
In addition to choosing a reliable supplier, regular inventory checks are essential to prevent you running short. By routinely monitoring stock levels, even during periods of low demand, facilities can identify potential shortages early and place orders before demand increases e.g. over the winter.
Find out more
While the topic of body bags is understandably sensitive, it's a crucial aspect of healthcare preparedness and inventory management. By working with a reliable body bag supplier like Slik Pak, hospitals and care homes can ensure they never run out of this essential resource. Please contact us to find out more.
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