Healthcare Operations Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CHE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Healthcare Operations Management flashcards as text
Which inventory management technique is most effective for controlling costs of high-value, low-volume medical supplies?
Answer: ABC analysis
ABC analysis categorizes inventory by value and usage, allowing management to focus tight controls on high-value items (A items) that represent the majority of supply costs.
What is the primary operational benefit of a group purchasing organization (GPO) for a hospital?
Answer: Leveraged purchasing power to reduce supply costs
GPOs aggregate purchasing volume across member hospitals to negotiate lower prices from vendors, directly reducing the cost of supplies and equipment.
A hospital's supply chain director reports a stockout of a critical surgical implant. What is the most appropriate immediate operational response?
Answer: Activate the emergency supplier protocol and notify surgical teams
Activating the emergency supplier protocol ensures a structured, pre-planned response that secures supply while keeping clinical teams informed so they can manage scheduling appropriately.
Which operational strategy best reduces the total cost of ownership for high-use medical equipment?
Answer: Implementing a preventive maintenance program
Preventive maintenance extends equipment life, reduces unexpected downtime and emergency repair costs, and ensures equipment operates at peak efficiency, lowering total cost of ownership.
In healthcare operations, what does the term 'demand forecasting' primarily help managers accomplish?
Answer: Anticipate service volume to plan staffing and resources accordingly
Demand forecasting uses historical data and trends to predict future patient volumes, enabling managers to allocate staffing and resources proactively rather than reactively.
A hospital is transitioning to a centralized sterile processing department (SPD). What is the primary operational advantage of this model?
Answer: Standardized processes and quality control for instrument sterilization
Centralized SPD consolidates sterilization into one controlled environment, enabling standardized protocols, consistent quality control, and better compliance with sterilization standards.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a service level agreement (SLA) in healthcare operations management?
Answer: A formal agreement that defines expected performance standards between departments or vendors
An SLA establishes measurable expectations—response times, quality standards, and accountability—between internal departments or with external vendors to ensure consistent operational performance.