Hospitals are large and complex organizations, yet they function largely without sophistication and technology inherent in other large businesses. In a time when well over half of all hospitals report negative operating margins, driving down costs by achieving operational excellence is one of the most important yet overlooked areas.

Healthcare operations management is the emerging discipline that integrates quantitative and qualitative aspects of management to determine the most efficient and optimal methods of supporting patient care delivery.  Operations management helps hospitals and health systems understand and improve labor productivity, reduce waiting lines, shorten cycle times, and generally improve the patient’s overall experience—all of which helps to improve the organization’s financial health.

This text provides a well-rounded, comprehensive treaty on all aspects of operations management specific to the healthcare industry.  It covers everything from hospital finances to project management, patient flows, performance management, process improvement, and supply chain management.  It is written to balance theoretical and practical perspectives, by an author who has served both in senior-level management positions in large health systems, as well as extensive university research on the topic.

This is an ideal text for university courses in healthcare management at all levels. It is also an excellent professional reference for healthcare administrators, clinical support managers, and supply chain professionals.