Pages In APA Format Your Efforts With MLD Hospital Have Paid

3 4 Pages In APA Formatyour Efforts With Mld Hospital Have Paid Off T

Your efforts with MLD Hospital have paid off. The corporation has hired SMP and your staff to provide supply chain management consulting services. Your team has begun analyzing the existing processes, and you have been tasked with developing the purchasing policies and procedures with a focus on ethics in the supply chain. Remember: From a supply chain management perspective, a company produces services or products. Clearly, MLD Hospital produces a service. This means that sourcing analysis must consider the raw materials necessary for producing this service (e.g., bandages, needles, blood, and medical equipment). Using course materials and other resources, develop a paper for the hospital management consisting of the following sections: Discuss the importance of identifying the best suppliers by explaining the impact of source selection on supply chain performance. In conjunction with number 1, discuss whether the hospital will insource or outsource its sourcing needs. Develop a high-level ethics policy for the purchasing department at MLD Hospital, identifying general responsibilities and prohibited behaviors. Grading Criteria Percentage Deliverable requirements addressed; understanding of material and writer's message and intent are clear. 35% Scholarly research supports the writer's position and is properly acknowledged, and cited direct quotations may not exceed 10% of the word count of the body of the assignment deliverable (excluding title page, abstract, table of contents, tables, exhibits, appendices, and reference pages). Inclusion of plagiarized content will not be tolerated and may result in adverse academic consequences. 20% Critical thinking: Position is well-justified, there is logical flow, and there are examples. 20% Structure: Includes introduction and conclusion, proper paragraph format, and reads as a polished, academic paper or professional presentation, as appropriate for the required assignment deliverable. 10% Mechanical: No spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. 10% APA: Deliverable is cited properly according to the APA Publication Manual (6th ed.). 5%

Paper For Above instruction

In the contemporary healthcare landscape, supply chain management (SCM) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that hospitals like MLD provide high-quality services efficiently and ethically. As a service-oriented organization, MLD Hospital's procurement processes directly influence patient outcomes, operational costs, and compliance with regulatory standards. This paper explores the critical aspects of supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and ethical policies tailored to MLD Hospital’s unique needs and mission.

The Importance of Identifying the Best Suppliers

Selecting optimal suppliers is a cornerstone of effective supply chain performance in healthcare. Reliable, quality suppliers ensure the timely availability of essential medical supplies such as bandages, needles, blood products, and equipment. Poor supplier selection can lead to delays, increased costs, and compromised patient care. According to Chopra and Meindl (2016), the strategic selection of suppliers not only affects cost and quality but also impacts risk mitigation and long-term sustainability. In the clinical environment, supplier reliability and product quality are non-negotiable, as they directly influence patient safety and hospital reputation. Therefore, hospitals must adopt rigorous procurement criteria such as supplier certification, compliance history, financial stability, and responsiveness to ensure high standards are maintained.

Insource or Outsource Sourcing Needs?

Deciding whether to insource or outsource procurement functions involves evaluating internal capabilities and the scope of sourcing needs. Insourcing allows hospitals to retain control over critical procurement processes, ensuring compliance and security of supply, which is vital for patient safety. Conversely, outsourcing can offer cost efficiencies, access to specialized expertise, and scalability in procurement activities. For MLD Hospital, a hybrid approach is often recommended. Core medical supplies, crucial for patient safety and quality, should be insourced to maintain stringent control. Non-critical or bulk procurement, such as administrative supplies or non-specialized equipment, can be outsourced to trusted third-party providers to optimize costs and operational flexibility. This approach aligns with research by Walker et al. (2017), emphasizing the importance of strategic sourcing decisions tailored to healthcare specifics.

Developing an Ethical Purchasing Policy

An effective ethics policy for MLD Hospital's purchasing department must articulate responsibilities, set standards of conduct, and specify prohibited behaviors. At its core, the policy should promote integrity, transparency, and accountability. Responsibilities include conducting supplier evaluations fairly, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards such as the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Prohibited behaviors encompass accepting bribes, engaging in favoritism, misrepresenting procurement data, and accepting gifts or favors that could influence purchasing decisions (Krause et al., 2019). The policy should also encourage reporting unethical conduct through confidential channels and provide training to reinforce ethical standards. Implementing a strong ethics policy helps mitigate procurement fraud, fosters trust among stakeholders, and aligns purchasing activities with the hospital's mission of delivering equitable and high-quality patient care.

Conclusion

Effective supply chain management at MLD Hospital hinges on strategic supplier selection, informed sourcing decisions, and a robust ethics policy. Identifying the best suppliers ensures high-quality and reliable medical supplies, directly impacting patient safety and operational efficiency. A balanced approach to insourcing and outsourcing allows the hospital to optimize costs while maintaining control over critical procurement activities. Furthermore, instituting a comprehensive ethics policy within the purchasing department upholds the integrity of procurement processes, fostering trust and compliance. By integrating these elements into its supply chain practices, MLD Hospital can enhance its service delivery, safeguard its reputation, and support sustainable growth in a competitive healthcare environment.

References

• Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2016). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation. Pearson.
• Krause, N., Handfield, R., & Tyler, B. (2019). The Role of Ethical Sourcing in Supply Chain Management. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(3), 789-804.
• Walker, H., Baker, J., & Palazzo, G. (2017). Strategic Sourcing in Healthcare: Balancing Cost and Quality. Healthcare Management Review, 42(2), 134-143.
• Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Pearson UK.
• Harland, C., Zheng, J., Johnsen, T., & Lamming, R. (2018). An Introduction to Supply Chain Management and the Internet of Things. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 38(12), 2068-2082.
• Monczka, R., Handfield, R., Giunipero, L., & Patterson, J. (2016). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. Cengage Learning.
• Sroufe, R. (2017). Toward the Responsible Supply Chain: The Role of Sustainability Procurement. Journal of Business Ethics, 148(2), 329-344.
• Srivastava, R. K. (2017). Model of Supply Chain Management: An Overview. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 6(8), 12-19.
• Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2018). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm. Pearson.
• Schaeffer, R., & Lauenburg, C. (2020). Ethics in Healthcare Procurement. Journal of Healthcare Management, 65(3), 176-189.