Medical Consumables: Definition, Classification, and Clinical Application Analysis

 

Medical consumables are indispensable sanitary materials in the diagnosis and treatment process of medical institutions, permeating every aspect of medical activities such as examinations, treatments, and surgeries. According to the authoritative definition of the industry, low - value medical consumables refer to disposable sanitary materials with a relatively low unit price, high usage frequency, and no need for implantation or intervention into the human body, such as syringes, infusion sets, gauze, and medical masks. The demand for such consumables is large and their application scope is wide. They are the basic supplies for the daily operation of hospitals, accounting for about one - third of the total cost of medical consumables in hospitals. High - value medical consumables, on the other hand, refer to specialized materials that act directly on the human body, are expensive, and have strict safety requirements, such as orthopedic implants, cardiac pacemakers, and vascular stents. The management of these consumables requires key attention to expiration date tracking and rational use.

 

Core Classification of Medical Consumables

The classification system of medical consumables is centered around their uses, mainly covering the following categories:

1. Medical Sanitary Materials and Dressings: This includes gauze, cotton swabs, bandages, and wound dressings, which are used for wound care and infection control.

2. Injection and Puncture Supplies: Such as injection needles, infusion sets, and indwelling needles, which are among the low - value consumables with the largest consumption volume.

3. Medical Polymer Materials: This category covers instruments made of polymer materials, such as urinary catheters and drainage tubes.

4. Operating Room Consumables: Instruments that directly support surgical operations, such as surgical blades, sutures, and hemostatic forceps.

5. Specialized Diagnostic and Treatment Consumables: High - value consumables tailored to specific medical scenarios, such as cardiac intervention catheters and artificial joints.

 

Management Challenges and Optimization Directions of Medical Consumables

Due to the large quantity used and fast inventory turnover of low - value consumables, a dynamic monitoring mechanism needs to be established to avoid overstocking and waste. High - value consumables face problems such as a complex supply chain and high capital occupation. Information technology should be used to achieve full - process traceability. Currently, medical institutions are gradually introducing intelligent management systems to link procurement, warehousing, and clinical usage data, thereby improving the efficiency of consumable use and cost - control capabilities.

 

In addition, with the development of medical technology, the research and development of medical consumables are moving towards specialization and refinement. For example, innovative products such as biodegradable sutures and antibacterial - coated catheters play an important role in reducing the risk of infection and improving treatment effects. Industry supervision has also been strengthened simultaneously, with stricter regulations on the production qualifications of consumables, distribution channels, and clinical indications to ensure patient safety and medical quality.