Managing Hospital Materials Management

Materials management is both art and science. The intent of this book is to discuss the foundation elements of materials management and provide practical strategies for managing materials management. The Kowalski-Dickow Associates, Inc. (KDA), intend this book to be a valuable educational tool and reference resource for everyone interested in managing materials management, from college students to practicing managers and CEOs. Because the subject matter of this book is wide ranging, some chapters emphasize technical aspects of materials management, particularly topics that have not been extensively covered in other hospital materials management books; other chapters focus on the management aspects. Materials management is much more than just purchasing. It is a multifaceted, interdependent discipline -- a body of knowledge (much like finance or marketing) that needs to be understood and implemented by the entire organization, not just the materials management staff. Simply put, materials management involves providing goods and services to the point of use in a cost-effective manner; doing the right things in the right way. Home runs, miracles, or ultra¬high-tech solutions are not as essential as is sound planning, appropriate resources, customer service, and knowledge concerning the ways materials management is used in hospital departments that utilize materials and supplies. Hospitals that view and apply materials management in this way will be in a much better position to manage nonlabor expenses and human resources involved with logistics. Costs will be saved and staff will be able to achieve needed levels of quality and efficiency. Additionally, progressive materials managers will be able to apply these concepts and methods to almost any hospital department, including surgery, dietary services, pharmacy, laboratory and others.