How changes in healthcare delivery will impact materiel management

Materiel management personnel undoubtedly believe that in the past they have done all within their power to cut costs, increase efficiency and comply with their facility's productivity requirements. However, with healthcare reform and associated changes, it will be necessary for them to develop additional creative ideas--and implement innovative information system solutions--to improve the materiel management operations. EDI and decentralized inventory management at remote locations will become prominent as health care continues to move out of the hospital. Closer working relationships with physicians and other providers in coordinated networks to match cost-effective products to improved clinical outcomes will occur. And with additional regulation, materiel managers can, ironically, expect increased demand for documentation.