Hospitals Are Major Users Of Poka Yoke Fail-Safe Devices

Hospitals Are Major Users Of Poka Yoke Fail Safe Devices Can You T

Hospitals are major users of poka-yoke (fail-safe) devices. Can you think of any? With so much productive capacity and room for expansion in the United States, why would a company based in the United States choose to purchase items from a foreign firm? Discuss the pros and cons. What strategies are used by supermarkets, airlines, hospitals, banks, and cereal manufacturers to influence demand? Under which conditions would a plant manager elect to use a fixed-order quantity model as opposed to a fixed-time period method? What are the disadvantages of using a fixed-time period ordering system?

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The utilization of poka-yoke, or fail-safe devices, in hospitals exemplifies a critical aspect of patient safety and operational efficiency. Poka-yoke systems are designed to prevent errors before they occur, ensuring that healthcare providers do not administer incorrect medications, perform wrong-site surgeries, or make other common medical errors. Examples of such devices include barcode medication administration systems, which verify patient identity and medication against electronic records, and surgical checklists that ensure all procedural steps are correctly followed. These fail-safe mechanisms have been instrumental in significantly reducing medical errors, enhancing patient safety, and improving overall healthcare quality (Lundqvist & Segerlind, 2016). The implementation of poka-yoke devices in hospitals underscores the importance of integrating quality control measures into complex and high-stakes environments.

The question of why a U.S.-based company might choose to purchase items from a foreign firm, despite the presence of substantial productive capacity and room for expansion domestically, is multifaceted. One primary reason is cost savings. Foreign manufacturers, especially in countries with lower labor and production costs, can offer goods at a substantially reduced price, providing a competitive advantage (Narula, 2019). Additionally, purchasing from foreign firms may provide access to specialized expertise or technologies not available domestically. However, sourcing abroad also presents disadvantages such as longer supply chains, potential logistical delays, quality control issues, and vulnerabilities to geopolitical or economic disruptions (Gereffi & Fernandez-Stark, 2016). Companies must weigh these factors carefully, considering strategic priorities like cost efficiency, supply chain resilience, and quality standards.

Supermarkets, airlines, hospitals, banks, and cereal manufacturers employ varied strategies to influence demand. These include promotional pricing, loyalty programs, advertising campaigns, and product differentiation. For instance, supermarkets often use discounts and weekly specials to drive foot traffic and increase sales. Airlines leverage seat sales, bundled offers, and loyalty points to secure customer loyalty and stimulate demand during off-peak seasons (Porter, 2008). Hospitals may implement community outreach programs, health awareness campaigns, and insurance partnerships to attract and retain patients. Banks utilize interest rate incentives, fee waivers, and personalized financial products to influence account openings and usage patterns. Cereal manufacturers frequently use packaging innovations, celebrity endorsements, and advertising in children's programming to boost product appeal (Kotler & Keller, 2016). These strategies aim to shape consumer preferences, increase demand, and secure competitive advantage in their respective markets.

Regarding inventory management, a plant manager would prefer to use a fixed-order quantity model versus a fixed-time period method under specific conditions. The fixed-order quantity approach, also known as the economic order quantity (EOQ) model, is most effective when demand is relatively stable, and ordering costs are predictable and low. It is suitable for environments where maintaining minimum stock levels is critical to avoid production interruptions (Nahmias, 2013). Conversely, a fixed-time period system involves reviewing inventory at regular intervals and ordering a quantity to replenish stock to a desired level. This approach is beneficial when demand fluctuates unpredictably or when ordering costs are high. However, the fixed-time system's disadvantages include potential stockouts during periods between reviews and increased safety stock requirements to buffer demand variability, leading to higher holding costs (Chopra & Meindl, 2016). Managers must evaluate demand patterns, cost structures, and lead times to choose the most appropriate inventory control method.

References

• Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2016). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation. Pearson Education.
• Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global value chain analysis: a primer. Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC), Duke University.
• Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.). Pearson.
• Gordon, G. (2017). Healthcare Error Prevention and Safety Strategies. Journal of Medical Systems, 41(12), 195.
• Larson, P. D., & Farber, B. (2016). Quality Improvement in Healthcare. Springer Publishing.
• Lundqvist, M., & Segerlind, M. (2016). Error Prevention in Healthcare: Implementing Poka-Yoke Systems. Healthcare Quality Journal, 5(2), 78–85.
• Nahmias, S. (2013). Production & Operations Management. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Narula, R. (2019). Globalization and Outsourcing: Context and Impact. Journal of Global Business, 8(1), 45–61.
• Porter, M. E. (2008). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. Free Press.
• Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global value chain analysis: a primer. Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC), Duke University.