Materials managers question how Uniform Commercial Code treats faxed purchase orders.

A hospital materials manager is considering eliminating routine purchase orders for most items of medical supply. This is due to the increased use of the telephone and of electronic devices such as fax, transceivers and computer hookups. Written purchase orders would continue to be mailed to suppliers for capital equipment and other major expenditures. The materials manager is wondering how this time-saving practice might be affected by purchase law under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In this dialogue, Dr. Decker responds to this reader's inquiry.