title: Excellence in supply chain management--trends and strategies to enhance profitability. Panel discussion.
abstract: Supply-chain management--the art of getting the most at the least cost from the products and services purchased by an organization--has transformed industries such as manufacturing and retailing, and can potentially do the same for healthcare. VHA is committed to keeping its members educated on current thinking and best practices in supply-chain management. In support of that mission, four supply chain experts gathered in Chicago recently at Modern Healthcare's offices to discuss the issues they face in their organizations and the strategies they've found most successful in addressing them.
authors.forename: Bobbie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gerhart
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baskel
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Drasek
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downing
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006750:Hospital Distribution Systems / Q000592:standards; D007324:Institutional Management Teams; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D010819:Physician's Role; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States