The dynamics of role interaction

Success in our respective business environments is not totally dependent on technical expertise; we must be able to also effectively interact with people. The necessity of successful leadership is assumed; however, we often fail to recognize the value of strategically subordinating ourselves to others. Both roles must be emphasized with the knowledge that preferred individual styles are valid.     

Materiel management reengineering: value creation through innovation

By reengineering their department's core processes, materiel managers can expand their role in the health care setting while realizing significant cost savings. Using a team model, Inova Health System materiel management staff integrated their processes for vendor selection, purchasing, inventory reduction, and utilization across three hospitals and ancillary services. An integrated approach at all levels of the organization gained buy-in from administrators and staff systemwide.     

Survival strategies in the era of managed care

The era of managed care has forced an unprecedented restructuring of the health care environment. As hospitals downsize in response, materiel managers should consider adopting strategies that may help ensure their survival, including innovative approaches to supply management and the development of individual responses that will best position them to succeed in this new reality.     

Medicare: round two

The stakes have risen in the fight to save medicare from demise at its own hands. The program could go bankrupt as early as 2001, and campaign rhetoric may have harmed chances for bipartisan cooperation. Here's a look at some key administration, congressional and health care players in next year's second round.     

Vital parts

As the demand for organ transplants has grown, a shortage of hearts, kidneys, lungs and other vital organs has developed. Government and health officials have been forced to ration these vital organs. But what's fair? Who should be helped first--the sickest or those who have waited longest for help?     

Reining in the HMOs

As managed health care proliferates, states are enacting laws to ensure patients' access to specialists and treatment information, among other protections. Congress is following suit. Managed care plans have gone along with the changes to an extent but fear over-regulation.