Product evaluation and standardization.

Although it was cumbersome at the time of implementation, the process began to operate effectively once hospital personnel overcame their initial concern over a potential "paperwork jungle" and realized that the paperwork is easy to control. When implementing such a system, it is vital that all personnel make a commitment to the process. Although it can be time-consuming and demanding in that employees must attend meetings, write standards, conduct and coordinate evaluations, the benefits are paid back many times over, both in dollars and staff satisfaction. A major plus of our system is our requirement that the user justify why a product is needed. That need is explained in the content of a product standard. The demerit rating system, while not a precise mathematical science, does indicate the relative importance of each criterion. The final result is a standard product, a standard process and a standard decision, against which both product and process performance can be measured. This measurement is a level of professionalism achieved by the actions of a motivated staff, working in cooperation toward a single goal.