What does the term 'expendable' refer to in medical supply management?

The term 'expendable' in medical supply management refers to items that are designed for single use or are often discarded after their initial application. These supplies are critical in various medical settings, as they help prevent the risk of cross-contamination and ensure adherence to health and safety protocols. Expendable items include a wide variety of products such as gloves, syringes, bandages, and other disposable tools used during medical procedures.

In contrast, other categories of medical supplies have different characteristics. Reusable items imply they can be cleaned and sterilized for multiple uses, thus not fitting the definition of expendable. Items that require special storage typically demand specific conditions to maintain their efficacy, and durable items are intended for long-term use, which again diverges from the concept of expendability—where the focus is on immediate use without plans for recovery or reuse.