MHA Healthcare Operations and Supply Chain 2

Question 1

What is a 'charge description master' (CDM) in hospital billing operations?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive listing of all billable services, procedures, and supplies with associated charge codes

Answer

The CDM (chargemaster) is the hospital's internal price list containing every service, item, and procedure that can be billed, along with standard charges and billing codes.

Question 2

Which capacity management strategy involves holding beds or rooms in reserve for anticipated surges in patient demand?

Accepted Answer

Surge capacity planning

Answer

Surge capacity planning prepares hospitals to rapidly expand bed capacity and resources during unexpected high-demand events such as mass casualty incidents or pandemics.

Question 3

What does 'average length of stay' (ALOS) directly impact in hospital operations?

Accepted Answer

Bed availability, throughput, and overall capacity

Answer

ALOS directly affects how quickly beds become available for new patients, impacting overall hospital capacity, revenue, and operating efficiency.

Question 4

In healthcare operations, what is a 'kanban' system used for?

Accepted Answer

A visual inventory management system that signals when supplies need to be reordered

Answer

Kanban is a pull-based inventory control system using visual signals (cards or bins) to trigger reordering only when supplies reach a set minimum level.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a 'materials management information system' (MMIS) in hospital operations?

Accepted Answer

To automate supply ordering, receiving, and inventory tracking across departments

Answer

An MMIS integrates supply chain functions including purchasing, receiving, inventory management, and distribution to improve efficiency and reduce supply costs.

MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Practice Test

MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration Practice Test

MHA Healthcare Operations and Supply Chain 2