|2026/2027 Update | A+ Graded
Your HCO has a number of vendors providing various products and services. A member of the
PIC asks how we treat vendor employees. "Are they treated the same as our associates? Do we
have the same expectations? What should be our policy?" "Our goal should be to make them
full partners," you respond. You add: - Answer -"They're empowered, and they follow our
protocols. We should treat them as we do employed associates."
After your speech about the HCO's expansion plans at the public library, in the Q&A, a lady asks,
"We read about these disasters that occur with poisonous or dangerous materials. I know there
are a lot of dangerous things in hospitals. Can we be sure we're protected?" You reply: - Answer
-"We train all our associates on safety, and we meet federal and state standards for various
hazards. Our overall safety record is excellent."
You are staffing a PIT making sure that the HCO utilities (power, water, sewage, fuel) are best
practice. Your mental checklist includes which of the following? - Answer -Compliance with
code, very low failure rate, dual or triple sources, disaster drills and failure simulations, plans for
catastrophic or extended failures
The chief of orthopedics drops by your office. "I hear you chair our HCO's space management
program," he says. "Ortho is growing steadily. Our PTs do a good job, but the space is crowded,
not as comfortable for patients as our biggest competitor, City-Wide PT. I note that the Social
Service Department space next to PT isn't used all that much. Could you relocate them and give
us their space?" "We can certainly look into it," you reply. You continue: - Answer -"Internal
consulting can help PT plan the space, prepare a formal proposal, and also forecast the impact
on the unit scorecard. I'll ask Sarah Smart, the leader there, to meet with you. The space
committee will review the proposal. We have a good record of working out solutions."
1|Page
, In your internship at Sutter Health, the VP for environment asks you how you would evaluate
their materials management. You reply: - Answer -"Materials management should have its own
unit scorecard. I'd look for benchmarks and OFIs."
One of your responsibilities is linen service. It is supplied by an outside contractor on a three-
year contract with 14 months to go. You receive a solicitation from a competing supplier, which
claims it can cut laundry costs by 20 percent. "Thank you," you reply. "Our current supplier has a
contract through more than a year from now." You continue: - Answer -"I'll see that your
company is notified when we solicit bids for the next contract. You should understand that we
will rate service as the prime objective—no shortages, no late deliveries, no wrong items. We
will only consider bidders with a substantial record of excellent service."
People's reaction to disaster planning is usually a form of denial: "It can't happen here, so why
should I take the disaster procedures seriously?" As a representative of management, you need
several good answers on the tip of your tongue. They include: - Answer -All of the above
PT has come in with a solid forecast of increased demand. Moving Social Service and expanding
PT will meet their needs. If they get the new space, they are committed to making substantial
gains in patient satisfaction and improvements in some patient outcomes. The orthopedics
surgery service passed a resolution that expansion is a must. Social Service must move to a
location on the second floor, and farther from the main entrance. Social Service is very upset.
"Our patients need easy access, too," the chief says. "You're just giving it to PT because they
make money and we don't. Our HCO's value of compassion is being ignored!" You reply: -
Answer -"I understand. Let's ask the senior management team to review the decision. Kate
Strate, in internal consulting, works on space planning. She can help you prepare your case."
2|Page