The key to getting published in Materials Management in Health Care is simple: Your article must fulfill an editorial need and fit the magazine's format. Yet most submissions we receive do not satisfy these criteria and are rejected. To prevent this from happening to your manuscript, read these guidelines before you begin to write.

General Information

It helps to read the magazine regularly to get a sense of the kinds of articles we publish. Different sections of the magazine call for different types of articles. These sections are outlined below.

Materials Management in Health Care is not an academic journal that calls for stuffy writing. In fact, we're most likely to accept stories written in a reader-friendly, easy-to-understand style.

The articles we accept most often describe a specific hospital's step-by-step approach to solving problems in materials management, central service, infection control, surgical services and other clinical areas. Stories are more credible-and more likely to be accepted for publication-when they contain quotes from people whose experiences bring your points to life. When possible, use real-life anecdotes.

Articles should always address a specific aspect of a specific topic, preferably from a cost control, utilization control or other management angle. Avoid general overviews! For example, a story about the value of case cart systems is less useful than one that describes 10 pitfalls to avoid when computerizing your case cart system. Be specific!

If you have an idea for a feature article, do not submit a completed manuscript. First, send an outline or letter describing the story. We will evaluate your proposal, and if it looks promising, we will ask to see a manuscript. Manuscripts can be sent by e-mail (either directly or through this Web site's "E-mail Us" section), on computer disk (preferably using Microsoft Word), or if necessary you can send hard copy by regular mail or fax.

The Magazine's Structure

Materials Management in Health Care accepts articles to be used as cover stories, features and departments.

1. Cover story/features

These stories generally address complex topics and should be 1,500 to 3,000 words long. See past issues for examples.

2. Departments

These are generally case studies of one hospital's experience in solving a management problem. They should be 1,000 to 1,500 words long. See past issues for examples. We accept submissions for the following departments:

• Behind the News: In-depth studies about how breaking news affects our readers
• Careers: Guidance on advancing your own career and managing workers
• Teamwork: Case studies of successful team projects, including product evaluation, standardization and value analysis
• Bottom Line: Case studies about how to save dollars or increase productivity
• Central Intelligence: Information that central service managers and employees can use on the job
• Product Study: Case studies about how an organization has used a specific product or service to achieve a desired result
• Stats: Statistics that shed light on changes in health care, materials management, central service, infection control and other clinical areas
• Questions & Answers: Technical questions about central service answered by experts

3. Materials Management in Health Care also seeks information to include in several of our columns:

• Names & Faces: Job changes, promotions and professional awards
• Calendar: Upcoming educational events

To meet publication deadlines, be sure to submit Calendar items at least 3 months ahead of the event. Include the name and date of the event, the sponsoring organization, the conference center or hotel, city and state where the event will be held, and a contact name and phone number for more information. Please include contact information for Names & Faces, as well, in case we have any questions.

Final Tips

Submit only original work that hasn't already been published.

Think ahead. Publishing is a complex process that may take months of lead time. Please submit items as far in advance as possible.

Quality counts. Make sure that your proposal and manuscript say exactly what you want them to say, while meeting the criteria described above.

Be patient. Deadlines are paramount in publishing, so we don't always respond immediately. However, if more than a month goes by, you may want to send us a reminder.

Understand our position. Even if we accept your proposal, there is no guarantee that we will accept your final article. And if we do accept the article, please understand that it likely will be edited to meet our requirements for length and style.

Try again. Don't be discouraged if we do not accept your first proposal or reject your manuscript. We value your expertise in your field and encourage your input. Comments on any rejected material can provide valuable insight on how to improve the chances that your next submission will be accepted.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Address inquiries, proposals and manuscripts to:
Materials Management in Health Care
One N. Franklin St., 27th floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Fax: (312) 422-4500
Phone: (312) 893-6800
E-mail: [email protected]