Midwest Health Services: Purchasing Patient Snacks

Abstract

Melanie Griffin is a recent college graduate who has been asked by her supervisor to evaluate the consumption of snacks and pop at the ambulatory surgery center for which she works. Immediately, Melanie is confronted with the cultural complexities of a small health services operation. The reader discovers these complexities through a lively meeting dialogue, and the reader is then asked to help Melanie prepare for a follow-up meeting by identifying, analyzing, and preparing possible procurement solutions. The richness of this case is attributed to the practical quantitative consumption and pricing analysis coupled with the complexities of implementation because of the array of personalities. This case is appropriate for early undergraduate courses in management, marketing, and managerial accounting.