BHA-FPX4108 Assessment 1: Vila Health: Pacemaker Inventory

BHA-FPX4108 Assessment 1: Vila Health: Pacemaker Inventory

Create a 7-10 slide PowerPoint presentation that explains basic inventory management concepts and analyzes the current state of an organization’s inventory of pacemakers.

Introduction

Health care operations is a complex topic, encompassing many aspects including (but not limited to) service locations, personnel, policy, leadership, finance, strategy, and quality. While the industry is generally viewed as a service industry, its systems are faced with complex operational challenges including supply chain, strategy, quality and project management, and service delivery. 

Given the changing landscape from a health reform and financial perspective, health care organizations must focus on improving their operations and improving efficiencies to remain competitive. A component of the health care delivery process is the procurement, stocking, and dispensing of supplies. 

Within this process, opportunities exist to add value, reduce waste, and create standardization throughout the organization (Kros & Brown, 2013). Effective management of health care operations creates value for all stakeholders.

• One way to potentially create value in operations is through inventory management.
• Whether you realize it or not, you are most likely familiar with the concept of inventory.

For example, when you visit the grocery store perhaps they are out of your favorite ice cream, or, before you left home, maybe you took stock of your cupboards to determine what items you need to pick up on the grocery store trip. Both of these are everyday examples of the concept of inventory. In health care, inventory management is vital for many reasons, including regulatory compliance and investment protection. When we think about the inventory of a healthcare organization, we must take into consideration items ranging from pots and pans to medical devices and surgical instruments (Kros & Brown, 2013).

Finance and accounting principles in health care operations and supply chain management are key concepts to understand, at least at a foundational level. At a minimum, health care professionals should be familiar with the basic components of financial statements and financial ratios utilized by health care organizations, as well as concepts related to the value of money. Over the years, the healthcare industry has been subject to several changes in reimbursement methodologies. 

Each methodology was implemented with the intent of addressing the concerns facing the industry at the time (fraud, quality, utilization, et cetera). Current methodologies regulate the payment amount or payment rate that organizations will receive in return for treating each patient. Changes to these payment methods have had major financial implications for health care organizations (Kros & Brown, 2013). 

To remain fiscally responsible, health care professionals must streamline operations to ensure costs are managed, productivity is maximized, and resources are optimized (Kros & Brown, 2013). Outside of payroll and benefits, supplies and materials are close contenders for health care organizations’ highest expenses.

Regardless of whether you work in a clinical or non-clinical unit, it is imperative to understand how to read and understand the organization’s financial statements. In addition to financial statements, each department operates off of an annual budget. These budgets are established as financial guidelines for the department’s operations and always contain line items for materials and supplies.

Reference

• Kros, J. F., & Brown, E. C. (2013). Health care operations and supply chain management: Operations, planning, and control. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Demonstration Of Proficiency

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria: Competency 1: Describe when and how the senior leader would directly impact health care operations.

• Analyze leaders’ responsibilities in addressing the identified inventory recommendations.

Competency 2: Analyze the impact of the various success factors of a healthcare organization.

• Explain inventory control.

Competency 3: Analyze the concept of competitive strength by considering efficiency and effectiveness of organizational processes.

• Describe options for inventory ordering.
• Analyze the implications of having inventory control.

Competency 4: Apply management concepts to lead an efficient health care system.

• Present findings based upon review of the EOQ and organizational data.

Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and is consistent with health care professionals.

• Write following APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.
• Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

Preparation

This assessment is based on the Vila Health: Pacemaker Inventory media simulation, which is linked in the Vila Health: Pacemaker Inventory section of Assessment 1. Go to that section to complete the scenario at this time. You will use the information you gather in this scenario, in which you assume the role of an inventory analyst, to provide context and information necessary for the assessment.

If you have questions about or would like to review tips on using PowerPoint, the following resources may be useful as you prepare to complete this assessment: Guidelines for Effective PowerPoint Presentations [PPTX]. Microsoft Office Software Tutorials.

Instructions

Based on the media simulation you completed, one of the directors has asked you to examine the ordering, stocking, and use of pacemakers at the Peta King Heart Institute at St. Anthony Medical Center. In addition to your inventory investigation, you have been encouraged to research additional topics, such as inventory management, inventory control, inventory ordering systems, economic order quantity (EOQ) calculations, and inventory stocking techniques. 

As you research, consider industries outside of healthcare, as techniques utilized in other industries may apply. After you have concluded your investigation and research, you have been asked to prepare a PowerPoint for the director to help them communicate with other stakeholders the basics of inventory control, the importance of having inventory control strategies, and the current state of the Peta King Heart Institute’s pacemaker inventory.

Your PowerPoint needs to address the following criteria. (Note: The questions under each criterion are there to help you think through each.)

• Explain what inventory control
• Why are EOQs conducted?
• What is the impact of the heart institute’s volumes (past, present, and projected) from a strategic perspective (related to pacemaker use) on the overall success of the organization?
• Describe options for inventory
• What are quantities to order?
• What are potential inventory ordering systems?
• What are the pros and cons of the identified systems?
• When should other products be considered?
• When should alternative stocking be considered (ordering inventory consignment)?
• Analyze leaders’ responsibilities in addressing the identified inventory
• What should leaders address related to inventory?
• What are the consequences of leaders not addressing inventory needs?
• What are the implications of not adhering to the recommended inventory purchase?
• Analyze the implications of having inventory
• How does efficient inventory control impact the organization’s effectiveness?
• What are the implications for an organization’s effectiveness if inventory control is absent or sub-standard?
• Present your findings based upon your review of the EOQ and
• organizational
• How does product use this year compare to that of the previous year, as well as the projected budget year?
• What are your findings and recommendations?

You might want to (but do not have to) organize your presentation using the following outline:

Slide 1: Title of the presentation.

Slide 2: Overview of inventory control. Slide 3: Review of EOQ purpose and data.

Slide 4: Recommendations for inventory ordering. Slide 5: Leadership.

Slide 6: Implications.

Slide 7: Conclusions. Slide 8: Reference list.