AHRMM Survey Will Provide Executives’ Perceptions of Healthcare Supply Chain

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CHICAGO, May 12, 2008 — The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), Owens & Minor and Marquette University’s College of Business Administration Center for Supply Chain Management are conducting a 2008 National Healthcare Executive Survey on Supply Chain Management. The survey is intended to gauge hospital executives’ perceptions of the importance of supply chain management within their organizations, as well as developing issues and trends in the industry.

The online survey will be distributed to hospital chief executive officers, chief financial officers, chief operating officers and health care supply chain leaders through May 24, 2008. Survey results will provide valuable insight into the goals, priorities and performance of supply chain management, so executives can take corrective action and optimize the supply chains of their businesses.

“The goal of this survey is to provide a better understanding of the attitudes that surround supply chain management in healthcare,” said AHRMM President Mary Ann Michalski. “Because the supply chain makes such a tremendous impact on the overall clinical and financial performance of a hospital, a collaborative approach by executives and supply chain leaders to assess supply chain operations is critical to organizational success.“

The 2008 National Healthcare Executive Survey on Supply Chain Management follows a similar survey commissioned by Owens & Minor in 2007. Results of the 2008 survey will be tabulated by Marquette University’s College of Business Center for Supply Chain Management and will be presented at the AHRMM08 Annual Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio on Tuesday, July 22 as well as at the Health Forum/American Hospital Association (AHA) Leadership Summit in San Diego on July 26. The results will show the similarities and differences between the views of healthcare executives and supply chain leaders for an unbiased analysis of the challenges in healthcare supply chain management.

“The National Healthcare Executive Survey on Supply Chain Management is an important initiative for the healthcare supply chain profession as well as the healthcare industry at large,” said AHRMM Executive Director Debbie Sprindzunas.
“In order to provide solid data for process improvements, AHRMM encourages all hospital executives and supply chain leaders to participate in this initiative.”

The online survey has been emailed by AHRMM to potential participants with two versions of the survey available: one for hospital executives and one for healthcare supply chain leaders. The submission deadline is May 24 and will take approximately 15 - 20 minutes to complete.

Respondents who complete the survey will be eligible to receive a copy of the executive summary highlighting the survey results after the AHRMM08 Conference and Health Forum/AHA Leadership Summit. To qualify respondents must provide their email address when participating and complete the survey in its entirety.

About AHRMM
The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management is the leading national association for executives in the healthcare resource and materials management profession. A professional membership group of the American Hospital Association, AHRMM serves more than 4,000 active members. Founded in 1962, AHRMM prepares its members to contribute to the field and advance the profession through networking, education, recognition, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.ahrmm.org.

About Owens & Minor
Owens & Minor, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is the leading distributor of national name-brand medical and surgical supplies and a healthcare supply chain management company. With a diverse product and service offering and distribution centers throughout the United States, the company serves hospitals, integrated healthcare systems, alternate care locations, group purchasing organizations, the federal government, and consumers. Owens & Minor provides technology and consulting programs that enable healthcare providers to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness in materials purchasing, improve inventory management and streamline logistics across the entire medical supply chain-from origin of product to patient bedside. The company also has established itself as a leader in the development and use of technology. For news releases, or for more information about Owens & Minor, visit the company Web site at 
www.owens-minor.com.

About Marquette University Center for Supply Chain Management
The Marquette University Center for Supply Chain Management is dedicated to enabling the best in education, applied research, business solutions and symposia – for students, businesses and faculty – by integrating the College into the broader business community. The Center provides a forum where industry leaders, academics and students can exchange ideas, advance knowledge and add value in the expanding area of supply chain management. The Center for Supply Chain Management is housed within Marquette University's College of Business Administration, one of the oldest accredited business programs in the United States. The College offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate business programs in a variety of disciplines and specializations, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2009. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette's College of Business Administration is focused on educating young women and men to be effective leaders with a strong ethical foundation. More information regarding Marquette University, the College of Business Administration, and the Center for Supply Chain Management can be found at www.marquette.edu/cscm.

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