The Effect of Inventory Management on Medical Stock-outs at the Uganda Heart Institute

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of inventory management on medical stock outs at Uganda Heart Institute. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to find out the effect of demand forecasting on medical stock outs; to find out the effect of inventory control on medical stock outs and to find out the effect of monitoring stock on medical stock outs at Uganda Heart Institute. Using a cross sectional study design, responses were collected from 112 respondents out a population of 135 respondents. Data was collected using the self administrated questionnaire, interview guide and documentary review check list. Presentation, analysis and interpretation of results was done based on the study objectives and were analyzed using frequency tabulations; percentages, standard deviations; Pearson correlation and regression analysis were computed. A response rate of 70.4% was obtained from which the findings reveal that inventory planning (r=.314**), inventory control (r =.555**) and monitoring stock (r=.609**) had positive significant relationships with medical stock out. The lessons learnt include shortening orders and improving procurement speed would deter medical stock outs while allowing fast flow of information and adhering to replenishment action would reduce medical stock out. The study recommended that unnecessary procurement delays be avoided while purchasing a customized inventory management system and establishing a well furnished ware house would improve medical stock outs. In addition, identifying personnel gaps and hiring skilled, competent and qualified personnel would close stock gaps. Furthermore, tightening supervision, encouraging timely reporting, reviewing and updating internal procurement standard operating procedures would all but deter medical stock outs.