A sample practice on process management and process improvement in hospitals

The fierce competition environment resulting from advanced technology and globalization has granted the supply and logistics management at hospitals great importance, and required institutions to develop new strategies and procure a professional management on this issue. Currently, there are various private health institutions whereas public hospitals were the only health care provider in the previous years, and this has created a competition environment. Managing the resources fairly is an important step in maintaining the continuity of treatment services, which is the primary duty of hospitals. Having only the social security institution payments as their source of income, public hospitals cannot discharge their basic functions or find a place in this competition environment unless they determine their resource management policies sensibly. Considering hospital expenses consist of personnel, equipment, and other components, it is clear that equipment expenses take up a significant part within total expenditures. Restriction policy cannot be considered since the aforementioned service is for human health. We must work on process improvement and development, and institutional ownership improvement within the institution and educate and raise awareness of all personnel in order to provide cost-efficient, high-quality, timely materials used for health care and use the resources efficiently and effectively. Process improvement works should include practices that would allow the institution to adapt to technological advancements and should be aimed at providing and securing sustainable competitive advantage, with focus on information and materials management. For this reason, the institution's strategy should be defining management processes clearly, creating a mission and vision, supplying inventory management, and making sure services are provided without delay by placing the personnel that are expert in their fields and will take charge in processes in the right positions. In this study, we explained process management, hospital processes, and materials management conceptually, analyzed the medical consumables management processes and the previous improvements in a university hospital and made suggestions regarding these subjects. Keywords: process, process management, hospital processes, materials management