Inventory Management
Keep track of your clinic's medications, supplies, and equipment with Putra's inventory system. This guide covers adding items, tracking stock, and managing inventory effectively.
Overview
The inventory system helps you:
- Track medications and supplies
- Monitor stock levels
- Set low-stock alerts
- Link usage to patient records
- Manage costs and pricing
Accessing Inventory
Navigate to Inventory in the clinic sidebar to view and manage your stock.
Inventory Dashboard
Stock Overview
The dashboard shows:
- Total items in inventory
- Items low on stock
- Items out of stock
- Recent inventory changes
Quick Stats
| Stat | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Items | Number of unique products |
| Low Stock | Items below minimum threshold |
| Out of Stock | Items with zero quantity |
| Total Value | Estimated inventory value |
Viewing Inventory
Inventory List
All items displayed with:
- Item name and category
- Current quantity
- Unit of measure
- Stock status indicator
- Quick actions
Status Indicators
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Green | Adequate stock |
| 🟡 Yellow | Low stock (below minimum) |
| 🔴 Red | Out of stock |
Filtering & Searching
Filter inventory by:
| Filter | Options |
|---|---|
| Category | Medications, Supplies, Equipment |
| Status | In Stock, Low, Out of Stock |
| Search | Name, SKU, manufacturer |
Adding Inventory Items
New Item Form
Click Add Item and fill in:
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Product name |
| Category | Yes | Type of item |
| SKU/Code | No | Internal reference code |
| Unit | Yes | Measurement unit |
| Current Quantity | Yes | Starting stock level |
| Minimum Quantity | No | Low stock threshold |
| Cost Price | No | What you pay per unit |
| Selling Price | No | What you charge (if applicable) |
| Manufacturer | No | Product manufacturer |
| Notes | No | Additional information |
Categories
Organize items into categories:
- Medications - Drugs, vaccines, pharmaceuticals
- Supplies - Bandages, syringes, consumables
- Equipment - Tools, devices, durable goods
- Food - Pet food, treats, supplements
- Other - Miscellaneous items
Units of Measure
Common units:
- Each/Unit
- Box
- Bottle
- Vial
- Pack
- Milliliter (ml)
- Tablet
- Dose
Managing Stock Levels
Adjusting Quantity
To update stock:
- Click on the item
- Click Adjust Stock
- Enter the change:
- Positive number to add stock
- Negative number to reduce stock
- Provide reason for adjustment
- Save
Adjustment Reasons
Track why stock changed:
| Reason | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Purchase | New stock received |
| Sale/Use | Item used for patient |
| Expired | Item discarded due to expiration |
| Damaged | Item damaged or unusable |
| Count Correction | Physical count differs from system |
| Return | Item returned to supplier |
| Other | Miscellaneous adjustment |
Batch/Lot Tracking
For items requiring lot tracking:
- Enable batch tracking on the item
- When adjusting stock, enter:
- Batch/Lot number
- Expiration date
- Quantity in this batch
Batch tracking is important for medications and vaccines for recall purposes.
Low Stock Alerts
Setting Thresholds
For each item, set a Minimum Quantity:
- Edit the item
- Enter the minimum stock level
- Save
When stock falls below this level:
- Item shows yellow/red status
- Appears in Low Stock list
- Optional email notification
Alert Configuration
In Settings → Inventory:
- Enable/disable email alerts
- Set alert frequency
- Choose recipients
Inventory Usage
Linking to Patient Care
When using inventory for a patient:
- During treatment: Note items used
- In patient record: Link inventory usage
- On invoice: Include item costs
Automatic Deduction
When configured, stock deducts automatically when:
- Item added to an invoice
- Prescription issued (for in-house dispensing)
- Treatment recorded with item usage
Inventory Reports
Available Reports
| Report | Description |
|---|---|
| Stock Summary | Current levels for all items |
| Low Stock Report | Items needing reorder |
| Usage Report | Items used over a period |
| Value Report | Total inventory value |
| Movement Report | Stock changes history |
Generating Reports
- Go to Inventory → Reports
- Select report type
- Choose date range (if applicable)
- Click Generate
- View, print, or export
Export Options
Export inventory data as:
- CSV (spreadsheet)
- PDF (printable report)
Expiration Management
Tracking Expiration Dates
For items with expiration:
- Enable expiration tracking
- Enter expiration date when adding stock
- System alerts before expiration
Expiration Alerts
Configure alerts in settings:
- Days before expiration to alert
- Email notification recipients
- Dashboard warning display
Handling Expired Items
- Find expired items in reports
- Adjust stock out (reason: Expired)
- Dispose of properly
- Document the disposal
Best Practices
Regular Counts
Perform physical inventory counts:
- Weekly for high-turnover items
- Monthly for full inventory
- Compare to system quantities
- Adjust discrepancies
Organized Storage
- Group items by category
- Label shelves clearly
- FIFO (First In, First Out) for expiring items
- Separate controlled substances
Reorder Process
- Review low stock report regularly
- Place orders before running out
- Update quantities when received
- Verify deliveries match orders
Documentation
- Record all adjustments with reasons
- Keep supplier invoices
- Document disposals
- Maintain batch records
Controlled Substances
:::warning Special Handling Controlled substances may require additional documentation and compliance measures per local regulations. Putra's inventory system helps track these items but does not replace regulatory compliance requirements. :::
For controlled substances:
- Use batch tracking
- Document all usage
- Perform frequent counts
- Maintain chain of custody
Troubleshooting
Quantities Don't Match
If physical count differs from system:
- Verify all recent transactions
- Check for unrecorded usage
- Look for data entry errors
- Make a count correction adjustment
Missing Items
If items aren't appearing:
- Check filters (may be filtered out)
- Search by different terms
- Verify item was saved
- Check if accidentally deleted
Stock Won't Adjust
If adjustments fail:
- Verify you have permission
- Check for required fields
- Ensure quantity is a valid number
- Try refreshing the page
Integration with Other Features
Pet Records
Link inventory to patient care:
- Record items used in treatment
- Track medication dispensing
- Associate with specific visits
Invoicing
Include inventory items on invoices:
- Pull prices from inventory
- Auto-deduct stock on invoice
- Track profitability
Prescriptions
For in-house dispensing:
- Select from inventory when prescribing
- Track dispensed quantities
- Manage refills