Supplies That Medical Facilities Should Never Run Out of

Quick Summary:

Hospitals, urgent care offices, and medical clinics need a variety of supplies and equipment readily available to function. From PPE and wound care to IV supplies and urinary care, keep your inventory stocked with these medical supplies.

Introduction

Proper medical inventory management is key to supply chain preparedness. Hospitals must be ready to treat patients even during shortages, natural disasters, or epidemics.

Essentials include personal protective equipment (PPE), wound care supplies, catheters, IV therapy supplies, respiratory care products, diagnostic tools, exam room essentials, sterilization supplies, and mobility aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protecting medical staff is just as important as protecting patients. Stocking up on supplies such as masks, gloves, hospital gowns, and face shields helps prevent the spread of infection and save lives.

Masks

3M 1860 Mask N95 Surgical Respirator
FSA & HSA Eligible
(66)
$14.07 - $118.56
  • Bendable nosepiece
  • Efficiently filters out bacteria
  • Elastic bands

Gloves

Nitrile

ADVANCE IF 40 Nitrile Gloves
FSA & HSA Eligible
(101)
$8.33 - $75.85
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • Beaded cuffs
  • Textured fingertips
  • Puncture-resistant

Latex

Positive Touch Latex Exam Gloves Powder Free - Non-Sterile
FSA & HSA Eligible
(12)
$11.47 - $133.99
  • Useful for a variety of tasks
  • Powder free
  • Easy to don and doff

Vinyl

Mckesson Clear Vinyl Smooth Exam Gloves Powder-Free
FSA & HSA Eligible
(145)
$4.07 - $75.62
Most Popular
Mckesson Clear Vinyl Smooth Exam Gloves Powder-Free
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • Smooth texture
  • Tacktile-sensitive

Gowns

Disposable Patient Gowns
(2)
$43.87 - $59.63
  • Made of lightweight polypropylene
  • Disposable
  • Waistband ties for closure in the back of the gown

Face Shields

The Protector Procedure Mask w/ Face Shield
FSA & HSA Eligible
(1)
$35.52 - $138.01
  • Universal size
  • Anti-fog
  • 98% bacteria and particle filtration efficiency

Wound Care Supplies

Wound care supplies are essential for both minor and serious injuries. Keeping supplies in stock, such as bandaging materials, antiseptic wound solutions, and surgical dressing supplies, is of the utmost importance. Hospitals and medical facilities should maintain an ample supply of gauze, bandages, tape, antiseptics, and wound cleansers.

Gauze

Elastomull Stretch Roll Gauze Dressings
FSA & HSA Eligible
(13)
$163.60
  • Low-linting
  • Soft, stretchable cotton
  • Contours to the body

Bandages

66000318 box and bandage
FSA & HSA Eligible
(63)
$0.44 - $358.31
  • Moves with the body
  • Breathable material
  • Water-resistant
  • Useful as a secondary dressing

Tape

3M Medipore Soft Cloth Surgical Tape
FSA & HSA Eligible
(126)
$1.74 - $130.88
Most Popular
3M Medipore Surgical Tape, Soft Cloth - 1, 2, 3 ,4, 6 Inch
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • Water-resistant
  • Stretches diagonally

Antiseptics

An 8-ounce bottle of Hibiclens solution.
FSA & HSA Eligible
(68)
$1.85 - $424.65
  • Gentle on the skin
  • Leaves a protective barrier
  • Immediately kills microbes

Wound Cleansers

Vashe Wound Cleaning Solution
(85)
$13.68 - $555.11
Most Popular
Vashe Wound Cleansing Therapy Solution
  • Reduces unwanted odors
  • Non-toxic
  • Kills microorganisms
  • Promotes healing

Catheters and Drainage Supplies

Maintaining a fully-stocked urinary catheter inventory is key in both inpatient and outpatient care. When creating a urology supply checklist, be sure to include items such as Foley catheters, intermittent catheters, leg bags, and extension tubing.

Foley Catheters

kendall silicone coated foley catheter
(74)
$2.48 - $35.15
  • Made of latex and silicone
  • 2-way catheter
  • Large drainage eyes
  • Spring-loaded valve

Intermittent Catheters

Cure Ultra for Women, Straight Tip
FSA & HSA Eligible
(15)
$0.77 - $221.21
On Sale
Cure Ultra for Women, Straight Tip
  • Polished eyelets
  • Pre-lubricated
  • Straight tip
  • Not made with natural rubber latex

Leg Bags

32 Ounce 12 inch - with bottom cap and latex leg straps (150103)
FSA & HSA Eligible
(184)
$2.58 - $466.47
  • Reusable
  • Anti-reflux valve
  • Durable vinyl
  • Reduces odors

Extension Tubing

Hollister Extension Tubing with Connector
FSA & HSA Eligible
(26)
$3.59 - $44.63
  • Kink-resistant
  • Cuttable to desired length
  • Reduces risk of blockage
  • Not made with natural rubber latex

IV Therapy and Infusion Supplies

Infusion therapy helps deliver fluids and medication to patients in critical condition.

Intravenous supply essentials include IV catheters and extension sets.

IV Catheters

BD Insyte Autoguard 20g Shielded IV Catheters
(39)
$3.20 - $638.73
  • One-handed insertion
  • Doesn’t require compression
  • Non-winged
  • Improves the likelihood of first-stick success

Extension Sets

7 Inch Microbore Extension Set w/ Slide Clamb
(2)
$1.20 - $60.07
  • Connects to male and female Luer lock IV equipment
  • User-friendly
  • DEHP-free

Respiratory Care Supplies

Oxygen support is imperative for both emergencies and chronic respiratory care.

Keep ample oxygen masks, tubing, nebulization therapy kits, filters, and suction equipment in stock.

Oxygen Masks

Oxygen Mask Elongated Style Medium Concentration
(26)
$1.73
  • Adult-sized
  • Kink-resistant
  • 7-foot tubing
  • Bendable metal nose piece

Tubing

McKesson Oxygen Tubing
FSA & HSA Eligible
(15)
$0.88 - $68.45
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • 7 and 25-foot length options
  • Colored purple for visibility
  • Crush-resistant

Nebulizers

Ombra Compressor Nebulizer System
(6)
$89.67
  • Optimizes medication delivery
  • Breath-actuated
  • Includes mouthpiece and aerosol mask attachments

Filters

Filters for Pulmo-Aide Compressor Nebulizer
(53)
$4.67 - $11.95
  • Disposable
  • Long-lasting
  • Help extend nebulizers’ lifespans

Suction Catheters

DYND40702F, DYND40708F
(16)
$1.87 - $110.29
  • Easily readable graduations
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • 8, 12, and 14 French sizes available

Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools

Thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and stethoscopes are useful for real-time patient monitoring and triage.

Thermometers

Sejoy Infrared Thermometer - ET-306 - No Touch
FSA & HSA Eligible
(2)
$36.04
  • Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature readings
  • Fever alarm
  • Measures forehead temperature
  • 3-second results

Blood Pressure Cuffs

Plus-Sized Bariatric Blood Pressure Cuff
FSA & HSA Eligible
(9)
$12.86
  • Compatible with Drive blood pressure monitors
  • Fits larger arms
  • Soft nylon
  • Not made with natural rubber latex

Pulse Oximeters

McKesson Pulse Oximeter, Black 16-93651
FSA & HSA Eligible
(35)
$47.72 - $346.74
  • Large numbers
  • For children and adults
  • Adjustable brightness
  • Pre-calibrated

Stethoscopes

3M Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope
FSA & HSA Eligible
(1)
$243.70 - $324.32
  • Adjustable diaphragm
  • Easy to clean
  • Open bell
  • Dual lumen

Exam Room Essentials

Clinicians use disposable medical exam tools every day for routine patient assessments.

Due to their single-use nature, speculums, tongue depressors, and swabs should be restocked regularly.

Disposable Speculums

McKesson Graves Disposable Office Grade Vaginal Speculum
(1)
$9.19 - $88.61
  • Single-use
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • Medium-sized blades
  • Transparent plastic

Tongue Depressors

MDS202065 Medline Tongue Blade
(15)
$11.47 - $187.61
  • Smooth wooden surface
  • Useful for a variety of tasks
  • 5.5 and 6-inch lengths available
  • Splinter-resistant

Swabs

Dynarex Foam Tip Oral Swabsticks
FSA & HSA Eligible
(15)
$0.27 - $137.82
  • Individually wrapped
  • Available in lemon glycerin, dentifrice, and unflavored
  • Cleans, moistens, and refreshes
  • Relieves symptoms of dry mouth

Sterilization and Cleaning Supplies

Disinfecting medical equipment, surfaces, and hands is crucial for preventing cross-contamination. Disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, and autoclave supplies are non-negotiables for medical supply closets.

Disinfectant Wipes

Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes family of available products
FSA & HSA Eligible
(47)
$0.22 - $315.10
Most Popular
PDI Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Wipes
  • Kills microorganisms in 2 minutes
  • Made of isopropyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium
  • Ideal for cleaning steel, plastic, laminate, and glass
  • Durable cloth-like material

Hand Sanitizers

GelRite Alcohol Hand Sanitizer
(13)
$0.64 - $60.77
  • Moisturizes skin
  • Alcohol-based
  • Quickly kills 99.99% of bacteria
  • Doesn’t leave residue

Autoclave Supplies

McKesson Autoclave Pouches - Self Sealing
FSA & HSA Eligible
(1)
$13.28 - $413.44
  • Self-sealing
  • Lead-free
  • Chemical indicators
  • Designed for ethylene oxide (EO) sterilizers

Mobility Aids and Patient Positioning Tools

Patient transfer supplies and assistive transport devices are essential tools during rehabilitation. There is constantly a high demand for wheelchairs, transfer boards, gait belts, and support cushions.

Wheelchairs

Drive Medical Cruiser III Wheelchair
FSA & HSA Eligible
(9)
$224.21 - $300.29
  • Durable frame
  • Push-to-lock wheel brakes
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to clean

Transfer Boards

No-lift Design
FSA & HSA Eligible
(30)
$49.95 - $249.00
Most Popular
Beasy Board Patient Transfer System - Trans, II and Glyder
  • Durable
  • Minimizes friction on skin
  • Swivel seat
  • Lightweight
  • High weight capacity

Gait Belts

Premium EZ Clean Gait Belt
FSA & HSA Eligible
(4)
$28.40 - $57.06
  • Easy to clean
  • Self-locking
  • Improves patient safety

Support Cushions

Wheelchair Back Cushion with Lumbar Support Extreme Comfort For General Use
FSA & HSA Eligible
(5)
$43.70 - $68.14
  • Waterproof vinyl
  • Held in place by snaps and straps
  • Corrects posture

Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Hospitals should maintain a substantial urgent care medical stock. Code blue equipment, such as CPR masks, defibrillators, trauma kits, and emergency medications, can be the difference between life and death.

CPR Masks

Dynarex CPR Face Shield with One-Way Valve
$1.68 - $256.24
  • Protects first responders
  • One-way valve
  • Not made with natural rubber latex

Defibrillators

Philips HeartStart Onsite AED Defibrillator
(1)
$79.57 - $1,569.12
  • Provides audible instructions
  • Set up for immediate use
  • Child and adult options available

Trauma Kits

My Medic TFAK
FSA & HSA Eligible
$169.95
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Includes disposable gloves, gauze, shears, and more
  • Water-resistant case
  • Highly organized

Emergency Medications

Narcan Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray - 4 mg
$59.52
  • Saves lives after an opioid overdose
  • Over-the-counter
  • Easy to use
  • Safe for all ages

Conclusion

Stock planning for medical centers helps ensure supply readiness in times of national shortages. Since it’s almost impossible to predict natural disasters, global pandemics, or supply interruptions, the responsibility of regular inventory checks falls to medical facilities.

This includes essential healthcare supplies for personal protection, wound care, catheters, urinary drainage, IV therapy, infusions, respiratory care, diagnostics, exam rooms, sterilization, mobility aids, and emergency preparedness.