Operations Management for Healthcare Organizations: Theory, Models and Tools

Varying factors such as the aging of the population, the increasing burden of chronic conditions and the recent global pandemic have highlighted the need for a redesign of healthcare production processes. This book provides a useful framework to capture the necessary organizational conditions to successfully implement operations strategies within healthcare organizations.

The Operations Management (OM) function has become crucial; in fact, it is essential for managing the flow of both patients and supplies, in an efficient, responsive and flexible manner. The book outlines the models and operational solutions to these two key areas that characterize OM in healthcare: patient flow logistics, with the goal of optimizing the entire production cycle from first access by the patient to discharge and follow-up; and supply chain management, with the goal of ensuring that resources are successfully managed throughout the production lifecycle. The examples and case studies included in the book are based on the experience of the author who has had the opportunity to do research and training in the area of operations management, within different types of healthcare delivery organizations at both the national and international level, and often at publicly owned institutions.

The book is a useful guide for students, managers and policy makers interested in the development and implementation of the OM function in healthcare delivery organizations.

Stefano Villa is Associate Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.