The ol' switcheroo. Using knowledge from other industries

As in any industry, the supply chan is vital to the success of overall business operations. Because the cost of supplies in health care is second only to labor, hospitals are naturally concerned with running operations efficiently. However, disparities in funding, locale, staffing and a variety of other factors prevent every hospital and system from using the same methods. The common thread is that hospitals are always seeking better ways to improve business, or--as one materials manager recently said--at least they should be. And although not every tactic is right for every business, an idea needs to be examined before it can be dismissed. In a three-part series, MMHC takes a look at supply chain practices that are not necessarily industrywide trends, but are pieces of overall strategies that have worked for some hospitals. In the first installment, the supply chain is examined from the an outsider's point of view as individuals who've had successful careers elsewhere move into health care to provide a fresh perspective and solutions to common problems.