Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

Demand distribution systems are:

1. Cost-effective

2. Labor intensive

3. Automated

4. Efficient

The correct answer is: Labor intensive

Demand distribution systems are characterized by their ability to respond effectively to the needs of the healthcare facility or department they serve, typically utilizing a just-in-time inventory approach. This means they supply items as they are needed, which can indeed lead to an increased reliance on staff to monitor, manage, and fulfill these demands efficiently. While these systems can be designed to provide cost-effectiveness and efficiency over time, the true nature of demand distribution necessitates a significant amount of human interaction and oversight to ensure that the stock levels meet the fluctuating requirements of patient care. Consequently, labor intensity becomes a key factor in the operation of such systems, as personnel are engaged in planning, restocking, and monitoring inventory levels on a continuous basis. Other options like cost-effectiveness, automation, and efficiency might reflect potential benefits or characteristics of demand distribution systems when well-managed, but they do not encompass the foundational operational aspect, which is reliance on labor to ensure ongoing effectiveness and responsiveness to demand.