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Medicines and prescription drugs frequently are administered
to a patient during the course of treatment for the patient's
condition. Intravenous solutions or blood and blood derivatives
also may be administered to a patient. Medical supplies,
moreover, may be used in performing surgical and other procedures
on patients, including such items as scalpels and other surgical
instruments, sponges, surgical drapes, surgical gowns, towels,
syringes, alcohol preparations, drainage and irrigating tubes,
and tourniquets.
Additionally, many ancillary hospital departments use
medical supplies in the course of performing their particular
specialties relating to patient hospital care. For example, x-
ray film, chemicals, dyes, and nuclear materials are used in the
course of performing radiological diagnostic procedures. Gases
are administered to patients during surgery under the strict
supervision of an anesthesiologist. Oxygen is administered to
patients by the respiratory therapy department. Dyes are
injected in patients with possible coronary artery disease during
the diagnostic procedure known as cardiac catheterization.
Psychiatric facilities sometimes use other medical supplies and
equipment in certain treatments, such as insulin therapy,
electroshock therapy, and hydrotherapy.
The hospitals employ sophisticated medical records systems
to identify which medical supplies are used on or for each
patient. The hospitals determine patient charge amounts for
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