Procurement strategies in the health sector: How advanced are procurement processes in Portuguese hospitals

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Applying advanced strategies for procurement can save hospitals substantial amounts of money. Many different strategies exist which fulfil different aims. Group purchasing organizations, the use of a consignment stock and supplier performance management are especially suited to improve the hospitals’ procurement. Based on focus interviews with procurement managers of Portuguese hospitals it became clear that there is enormous room to improve the general way how procurement is done but also the application of the three strategies mentioned. Given the overall importance of hospital logistics, the hospitals’ performance could make substantial progress when improving the hospitals’ procurement processes.