Central service department: past, present, future

Medical and nursing practices are changing. The diagnosis and treatment of patient illness are supported by sophisticated medical equipment. With all these new technologies, it is only logical that the role of the central service department must change. The well-planned and well-managed central service department will be based upon recognition by the department head and the hospital administration of (a) the advantages of centralization, (b) the objectives of the department, (c) the functions necessary to fulfill these objectives, and (d) the need for capable and well-trained employees.