The key to getting published in Materials Management in Health Care (and any other magazine) is simple: Your article must fulfill an editorial need and fit the magazine's established format. Yet most of the submissions we receive do not satisfy these criteria and are rejected. To prevent this from happening to your manuscript, read these guidelines before you sit down 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 that are written in a reader-friendly, easy-to-understand style.

The type of articles we accept most often describe a specific hospital's step-by-step approach to solving common problems in materials management, central service, infection control, surgical services and other clinical areas. Stories are always 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 won't be as useful as one that describes 10 pitfalls to avoid when computerizing your case cart system. Be specific!!

If you have an idea for a cover story or feature article, do not submit a completed manuscript. First, send us a brief 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-mailing us through this Web site (see the E-mail Us section), on computer disk (preferably using Microsoft Word), or if necessary you can send hard copy by snail mail or fax.

Address proposals and manuscripts to:

Laura Souhrada, editor
Materials Management in Health Care
737 N. Michigan Ave., Ste 700
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: (312) 951-8491
Phone: (312) 440-6800
E-mail: [email protected]

The Magazine's Structure

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

1. Cover story/features
These stories generally address complex topics and should be 2,500 to 4,000 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 2,000 words long. See past issues for examples.

Departments for which we accept submissions include:

• 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 in health care settings
• Bottom Line: Case studies about how to save dollars or increase productivity
• Product Committee: Case studies about the activities of product evaluation, standardization and value analysis committees
• 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 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

Use the E-mail Us feature to submit information for Names & Faces and Calendar. It takes several months for material to appear in print, so be sure to submit Calendar items at least 2-3 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.

Final Tips

• Submit only original work that hasn't already been published.
• Think ahead. Publishing is a time-consuming, complex process that may take months of lead time. Please submit items as far in advance as possible.
• Put your best foot forward. Your proposal and manuscript will be evaluated by many people; make sure that they say exactly what you want them to say.
• Be patient. Deadlines are paramount at Materials Management at Health Care, 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. The people who reviewed your proposal will also review the finished manuscript and may conclude that the execution did not meet expectations.
• 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 regular 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!

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