How often should medical equipment and supplies be checked for expiration dates?

Checking medical equipment and supplies for expiration dates regularly, ideally on a quarterly basis, is essential for ensuring patient safety and compliance with health regulations. Medical supplies can degrade over time, potentially leading to reduced effectiveness, compromised safety, or adverse reactions if used past their expiration dates. A quarterly review strikes a practical balance, allowing healthcare facilities to maintain an up-to-date inventory, ensuring that expired items are removed and replaced promptly without putting patients at risk.

Conducting checks more frequently than quarterly might not be necessary for all types of items, and could place undue burden on staff and resources. Conversely, waiting until items are needed or checking only annually can increase the likelihood of using expired or ineffective supplies, jeopardizing patient care. Hence, a quarterly checkup is seen as a proactive approach to managing medical supplies effectively.