The future of materials management--the view from the for-profit sector. Interview by David Cassak.

David Cassak met Gene Burton, Vice President of Materials Management for HCA, the country's largest for-profit hospital company, at the recent Federation of American Hospitals meeting to talk with him about some of the things that he and his organization are trying to do in purchasing and materials management. With over 400 hospitals, either owned or managed, and a host of alternate site delivery programs, such as home healthcare and HMO and PPO plans, HCA is clearly a driving force for innovation in today's healthcare environment.