A surgical procedure consumes a pack of supplies. Counting usage against stock shows how many more procedures you can do — limited by the scarcest item — and what to reorder.
The example
Limited by the scarcest supply.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Possible |
| 2 | Sutures 40/2 | 20 |
| 3 | Gowns 12/1 | 12 → min 12 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- For each supply,
stock ÷ per-procedure usage= procedures that item supports. - ROUNDDOWN — you can’t do a partial procedure.
- The MIN across items is the constraint — the most procedures you can do.
- The item hitting that minimum is the one to reorder first.
Educational use only — not veterinary or medical advice. Dosing, fluid rates, and protocols must be set and verified by a licensed veterinarian for the individual patient. Always double-check against the drug label and a current formulary.
Try it: interactive demo
Stock and per-procedure use for two items.
Variations
Per-item procedures
One supply:
Total used this month
From a log:
Reorder shortfall
To hit a target:
Pitfalls & errors
MIN, not sum. The scarcest item limits procedures.
Round down. Partial packs don’t count.
Per-procedure use. Use the correct quantity each procedure consumes.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I find how many procedures my supplies allow in Excel?
Which supply should I reorder first?
How do I total usage from a log?
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