By now, I'm sure you all realize that there is no sure-fire, 100% effective method of communicating shortages to your staff. Even if you could stand next to every single co-worker everyday, all day long (omnipresence) and let them know in advance that what they're about to pull is backordered (omniscience), you would still get some of your staff wondering why the bin is empty. The only thing you can do is to use the method that is most effective for your staff and accept the fact that there will always be a few who won't get the message.

To those people, I would suggest you staple the outs list to their forehead!

Name of Facility: Pharmacy Purchasing Outlook

City, State: Newsletter

Years as a Buyer: 30+ (retired)

Currently I have a chalk board in our break room that says "BACK ORDERED ITEMS do not lend!!!! Everyone comes in the back room at some time during the day so it is the best place to have it posted. I also put big orange dots on the bins and type up a report once a month for the P&T meeting. It works pretty well here and it is funny because during the day while I'm working (I temporarily have my desk in the breakroom until we get our new pharmacy) I will see someone poke their head in to look at the board. Others will come and ask me if the item is on backorder. I try very hard to keep everyone informed. I make sure that our director and asst. director know immediately if something is going to be short.

Name of Facility: Palos Community Hospital

Years as a Buyer: 18+ (tx 35 yr)