Whether it’s a routine check-up, an extended hospital stay or just watching a medical drama on TV, the medical tool you are likely to see most often is a stethoscope. It’s among the most recognized medical tools that help healthcare providers listen to the sounds generated internally by the heart, lungs and intestinal tract and diagnose different diseases based on what is heard. If the examination and other tests diagnose a problem, it often results in medication. In fact, 71.9% of physician office visits involve drug therapy and 66% of all adults in the United States take a prescription drug. 

While they don’t have the same cache, the medical labels applied to the one billion medications prescribed each year may be more prominent than the stethoscope. Although they don’t help diagnose a problem, they do guide providers and patients on dispensing and administration and reduce potential adverse drug events. These labels fall into two categories: stock and custom. Stock medical labels are pre-designed and readily available, whereas custom labels are tailored to meet specific needs. Understanding the differences between these two types can help you make an informed decision that best suits your facility’s requirements.

When to Use Stock Medical Labels

Stock medical labels are standard, pre-made labels stored and available on demand. Integrated into numerous hospital processes, common stock medical label examples include patient ID wristbands, barcode printer labels, IV line and medication labels, nursing communication labels, and more.

Benefits of Stock Labels

• Cost-effectiveness - Stock labels are produced in large quantities that are typically far greater than the amount a facility would order. This drives economies of scale and makes them a more affordable option.
• Immediate availability - These items are pre-made and inventoried which makes them readily available for any application but crucial when an emergency crops up.

Ideal Use Cases

Stock labels are ideal for common applications where customization is not necessary. For example, pharmacy auxiliary labels guide proper medication administration. Messaging that specifies the time of day the patient should take a medication or ones that alert the provider about hazardous or look alike sound alike drugs are common throughout healthcare applications. Stock labels like these are perfect for standard procedures and general labeling needs.

When to Opt for Custom Medical Labels

Custom medical labels are designed to meet specific requirements of a healthcare facility. These labels can be tailored in terms of materials, color, size, text, and other features to address specific needs.

Advantages of Custom Labels

• Flexibility - Custom labels can be designed to meet the demands of regulatory compliance, internal protocols, branding requirements and more.
• Materials and adhesives - Custom labels can be configured with different materials and adhesives that meet taxing conditions common in healthcare applications.

Ideal Use Cases

Custom labels are particularly beneficial for applications that require specific data, formats and designs that meet internal protocols. They are also ideal for unique numbering or barcoding that integrate with internal systems such as EHR and asset management systems. Custom labels can include specific face stocks and specialty adhesives that perform effectively when exposed to heat, cold, cleansers, abrasives, contaminants and more.

Assessing Your Needs

Selecting a stock or custom label is straightforward for many applications. For example, if you need a blank thermal label designed for an EPIC or Cerner pharmacy information system program, there are dozens of cost-effective options like these from UAL. There is no reason to build your own custom items for this application. Conversely, a label that requires specific branding or colors unique to a hospital system isn’t available off the shelf, making customization the only option. But when the situation isn’t as obvious, here are other steps to follow.

Compliance and Safety Considerations

Selecting the right labels is also about meeting compliance standards and ensuring patient safety. Although UAL stock labels are designed with compliance standards in mind, if a stock item doesn’t match the unique protocols or other standards in place, a custom label is likely the best option. The design can include the formats, fields and specific information that is familiar to the clinical staff which reduces the risk of errors and enhances patient safety.

Review the Catalog

Often, there are different configurations for the same category of stock medical labels. For example, UAL carries 21 different IV Set and Tubing labels in different colors and formats. Before opting for a custom medical label, review the items available from a medical label provider. Often they publish a printed or online catalog that details the entire product offering grouped by common categories. One of these options may meet your specific requirements. Plus, if you need to test the product or share it with other members of your team, you can order samples to ensure it works properly.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

For other situations when the decision isn’t clear-cut, conducting a cost-benefit analysis is useful. Often the “processing costs'' associated with a label are far greater than the cost of the actual label. Evaluate how they impact your workflow. If a custom label saves the clinical staff time, it is likely worth the additional cost.

Practical Tips for Implementation

A 200-bed acute care hospital uses, on average, 165 unique labels, typically a mix of stock and custom items. It’s also likely that multiple vendors supply those products which elevates the importance of inventory management.

Inventory Management

Although the tactics to manage stock and custom medical label inventory are similar to other products, there are some unique elements to employ that will help to ensure a consistent supply.

Assess Usage Patterns

Consider the types and volumes of the medical labels you use most frequently and any changes the medical staff expects to occur. This data will help you determine usage patterns and adjust the amount you stock for specific items.

Prioritize High-Use Items

The Pareto Principle applies to medical labels as it does for most items you inventory. Using that same 80/20 rule for medical labels will ensure a constant supply of these high-use items and prevent disruptions.

Seasonal and Procedure-Specific Considerations

The reset of high deductible insurance plans into the new year often increases the demand for procedures at the end of the previous year. Make sure to adjust your inventory levels based on this and other seasonal trends and procedural demands to ensure you have adequate supplies when needed.

Evaluate Reorder Points

Stock medical labels are inventoried and available for immediate shipment. This means that reorder points can be set lower because lead times to replenish supplies are quicker. Custom medical labels are produced on demand and lead times vary depending upon the complexity. Make sure you understand the length of time it takes to replenish supplies and build those lead times into the reorder points.

Safety Stock Levels

Maintain a safety stock level to guard against unexpected increases in demand or supply chain disruptions.

Regularly Review and Adjust

Regularly review your inventory levels and usage patterns to adjust your stocking strategies accordingly. This proactive approach helps in optimizing your inventory, reducing waste, and ensuring that you always have the necessary labels on hand.

The Value of Partnering with United Ad Label

Choosing between custom and stock medical labels depends on your facility’s specific needs, budget, and compliance requirements. By understanding the benefits and ideal uses of each type, you can make an informed decision that enhances efficiency, safety, and overall patient care. Partnering with a trusted supplier like United Ad Label can further streamline this process, providing you with high-quality, tailored solutions to meet all your labeling needs.