Can a Focus on Costs Increase Costs?
Article Abstract:
Sustained dominance of the service sector, coupled with its chronically low productivity have led analysts to search for new ways to reduce the costs of service operations. This article examines materials management and supply chain systems in the hospital industry. In recent years, hospitals have faced unprecedented pressure to reduce costs. As a result, we observed expanded hospital cost reporting systems. We also observed that cost-based reporting may divert attention from utilization patterns. A case study demonstrates unexpected inefficiencies. Data analysis suggests a return to rigorous monitoring of materials use patterns, leading to improvement in both distribution efficiency and aggregate cost. Key words: inventory management, materiels management, planning
Publication Name: Hospital Material Management Quarterly
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0192-2262
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Automated Point of Use: Productivity Improvement
Article Abstract:
Construction of a new children's hospital offered materials management personnel the opportunity to avoid predictable issues in traditional supply operations through the acquisition of an automated point of use (APU) system. After more than two years in use, the system has demonstrated its value in facilitating efficiency and productivity in patient care, billing, medical records, physician relations and security, as well as in materials management. The key to the success of this cost-effective system has been creative use of data collected during APU transactions. Keywords: automated point of use, billing, nursing, physicians, security supply database
Publication Name: Hospital Material Management Quarterly
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0192-2262
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Guidelines for Using Process Mapping to Aid Improvement Efforts
Article Abstract:
Process mapping is an easy-to-visualize method that allows people to analyze and agree on the most efficient routes for reengineering or improving a process. It aids in determining redundant tasks, uncovering hidden interactions between processes and people, and focusing on the processes that serve customers, improve quality, and generate income. This article presents guidelines for using process mapping as an improvement tool. It is based on the authors' experiences in aiding a variety of health care, service, and manufacturing companies. Keywords: process mapping, process improvement, reengineering
Publication Name: Hospital Material Management Quarterly
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0192-2262
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Infectious disease: Diagnology: point-of-care genital herpes test
- Abstracts: Challenges and options for increasing the number of Americans with health insurance. A workable solution for the pre-Medicare population
- Abstracts: Health insurance among children: the role of expanded Medicaid coverage. Access and use by children on Medicaid: does state matter?
- Abstracts: Nosocomial outbreaks: the Centers for Disease Control's hospital infections program experience, 1980-1990. Major trends in the microbial etiology of nosocomial infection
- Abstracts: Gastrointestinal disease associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: new insights from observational studies and functional status questionnaires