ABSTRACT
In its quest to reduce inventory and streamline operations, the Materials Management department at Summit Medical Center (Oakland, CA) has used information systems technology to become agents of change for the medical center. The use of a materials management information system (MMIS) played a pivotal role in allowing for the reorganization of their materials management department after a 1992 merger. Since then, the department has reduced inventory by 47% of total dollar volume, while at the same time giving its diverse group of internal customers the assurance that preferred products will be readily available. Equally important, Summit's information technology has allowed materials management staff to gain control of the larger logistical challenges of time and motion that are inherent to the department. As a result, FTEs have been streamlined by 50%. Additionally, software usage reports helped bring consensus to product review committees as they standardized product lines for greater savings.
