Using a supply usage relational database to reduce costs. 
Relational database applications are valuable tools for tracking supply utilization patterns.  This information can be used to standardize supplies and reduce utilization, thereby reducing costs and improving consistency.  A supply usage database can generate comprehensive reports in a fraction of the time required to produce similar reports by other means.  The reports can provide data sorted by patient, surgeon, procedure, product, or any other data field the user specifies, and the comprehensive data are a persuasive means for suggesting changes to supply utilization patterns to physicians.