Optimizing Radiopharmaceutical Utilization: The Shortage-Outdating Operating Curve

Abstract

An inventory model—optimizing radiopharmaceutical utilization and providing the user with a family of curves with which to estimate both waste and service levels—is proposed. Percent of wasted supply compared with percent of unsupplied demand was calculated for I-131 and for I-123 as a function of the number of capsules placed on standing order. These operating curves represent analysis of actual patterns of use in our central radiopharmacy. Individual patient’s radiopharmaceutical dose cost obviously includes the cost of unused standing order supplies. The actual dollar cost of operating differing levels of unmet demand can be easily determined.