Developing a quality improvement program in materiel management

Materiel management frequently considers itself a service organization but infrequently considers the service provided as contributing to quality patient care. Quality patient care can only be delivered if every department is delivering quality service. Materiel management's ultimate customer is the patient waiting for the supply that is to be delivered by central stores or the prosthetic device to be obtained through purchasing. Quality service is the key to success, and materiel management must be proactive and deliver quality services.