Virtual Library
Not a new concept this, I realise, but interested in anyone running similar.

In short, for areas where a 'formal' library system does not exist we have been looking at tweaking our existing Library software package to allow a virtual environment.

Primarily for departments (Nutrician, Palliative Care) who distribute and manage their own equipment and issue to patients OR Wards on a weekly or daily basis.

The tweak would allow
- designated Staff to view equipment specific to them and their area only (e.g. T34 pumps)
- BOOK-OUT i.e. allocate and track against a patient
- BOOK-IN i.e. secure asset back into the store (with local User Checks)
- accessible with single sign-on via web-based application to selected "library controllers"

We have to rely on the entry of patient details manually at the moment, but gives us (previously un-accessible) centralised electronic records of equipment locations for devices that are in and out of departments frequently.

We are going to trial first for our ICU, who by default, end up loaning out pumps as they have the highest density of this equipment.

Of course, this not being a formalised function, the virtual system allows traceability of equipment that never routinely gets returned and there is no-one dedicated to tracking it down.

Welcome any thoughts or experience where this (scaled down library) approach may already be used, or even just considered.