Issues of materiel management in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Managing NICUs can be a challenge not only to the unit manager, but also to those allied areas that provide supplies and services to the unit. If patient census and acuity fluctuate, then the challenge is doubled by the need to maintain a high degree of flexibility in personnel, supplies, and facilities to meet patients' needs. It is necessary that communication among managers occurs so that the equipment and supplies needed to meet physiologic and developmental demands of these vulnerable clients can be achieved efficiently and effectively.