The Health Care Manager via MedWorm.com

Leaders, Managers, and Employee Care

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

With the economic and market changes currently taking place, organizations cannot survive or prosper without quality employees. Key to employee loyalty, performance, and retention is the relationship between the leader, manager, and employee. Leaders are visionaries who make sure that the right things are done for the organization. Managers are in a position to make sure that things are done right within the organization. There are traits and qualities that good leaders and managers must possess to ensure organizational success. Displaying these characteristics will ensure that employees are taken care of, which will benefit both the employees and the organization. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Mentoring in Health Services Management: Reflections on an Evolving Training Ground

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Since the University of Chicago Health Management program was first initiated in 1932, programs and health delivery organizations have dealt with the issue of how to best provide a meaningful transition from academia to entry-level management. Today, new challenges face the same old questions: New federal legislation and increased demand for a finite supply of services cause increased revenue and expense pressures and result in the need for a higher performance level by a well-coordinated management team. In addressing these challenges, mentoring is an essential requirement for survival and success in health services. The long-term success of future practitioners will require both an understanding and incorporation of mentoring in their skill set. The University of Virginia Medical Center ...

Revenue Cycle Optimization in Health Care Institutions: A Conceptual Framework for Change Management

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

This study provides an integrated change management model that aims to reengineer and realign the people-process-technology framework by using the principles of lean and Six Sigma for revenue cycle optimization. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Effects of National Health Care Reform on Local Businesses—Part 1: The Law and Its Applicability

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

This is part 1 of a 3-part series that presents a comprehensive examination of the results that can be expected from the 2010 national Health Care Reform legislation. Political pundits have speculated endlessly on the many changes mandated by the legislation, titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A review and assessment of this legislation at several levels (federal, state, state agency, local region, and individual business leaders) were undertaken. The results of this expanded analysis suggest strongly that members of the business community and their employees will benefit from the legislation early on (years 1–3) and then likely will be impacted adversely as the payment mechanisms driving the legislation are tightened by new federal regulations (year 4 onward). Busine...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Positioning Patient-Perceived Medical Services to Develop a Marketing Strategy

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

In today’s medical market, marketing philosophy is being rapidly transformed from customer searching to patient satisfaction and service improvement. The principal objective of this study was to contribute to the establishment of a desirable medical marketing strategy, through the factors of customer satisfaction and the positioning of patients’ perceptions by marketing institutions. The data were collected from 282 students of the College of Public Health and Medicine in Seoul. The survey tools were developed using the SERVQUAL scale. Analysis in this study involved both statistical and network analysis. The former was used to verify the determinants of service satisfaction as perceived by respondents, via factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The latter was obtained using...

The Ethical Leadership Challenge to Do No Harm: The Cognitive Imperative

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

This article addresses and evaluates the different components of cognition and provides recommendations to reduce human error and thereby deaths in hospitals. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: The Bungled Assignment

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

“Learning” From Other Industries: Lessons and Challenges for Health Care Organizations

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

This article investigates health care learning from other industries in the recent decade, focusing on aviation, high-reliability organizations, car manufacturing, telecommunication, car racing, entertainment, and retail; evidence suggests that most innovative practices originate with these fields. The diffusion of innovations from other industries appears to start with a few early adopter organizations (hospitals and health systems) and influential other organizations (The Joint Commission, Institute of Medicine, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or Institute for Healthcare Improvement) pushing for the innovations. Once the trend becomes accepted, consultants and copying behavior seem to contribute to its spread across the industry. An important question to explore is whether th...

A Conceptual Framework for Achieving Balance Between Innovation and Resilience in Optimizing Emergency Department Operations

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study presents a comprehensive review of theories and practices pertaining to emergency department operations, service innovations, and risk management, focusing on the areas of value creation and operational resilience. It includes a critical examination of how these 2 important areas both contrast with and complement each other. A dynamic systems view was applied to this effect to illuminate the interactions. On the basis of the knowledge gained from this exercise, a system-level conceptual framework was developed to suggest how to rationally optimize emergency department operations. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Electronic Fall Surveillance System Model

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article introduces a preliminary falls risk assessment and prevention model that uses standardized clinical and operational performance indicators linked through the Web to the patient's electronic health record to produce an electronic Fall Surveillance System. The use of an integrated Fall Surveillance System linked directly to the electronic health record allows for the implementation of quick "real-time" preventive intervention that would dramatically improve the quality and costs of patient care. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Manager and Equipment Decisions: The Capital Budget

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

As part of his or her role in preparing a departmental budget, a manager must often become involved in budgeting for capital expenditures, those purchases that are of a type and sufficient dollar value to be capitalized and depreciated. Depending on the value of a proposed purchase, the department manager may have only a partial voice in the process; some significant purchases will require administrative approval, whereas some major acquisitions will require approval by the board of directors. Planning for possible capital purchases should begin well before the start of the annual budget exercise. Listing a capital item in the department's budget request does not imply approval; often, there are many more "needs" than there are capital funds available. Therefore, there must be a consistent...

Decision Making for Health Care Managers and Supervisors: Theory Into Practice

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article describes common decision theories that underpin the steps. The article includes specific examples of applications of the theories and a glossary of terms. Experienced and novice health care managers and supervisors can improve their decision making by matching concepts from the decision theories to their problems. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: The Second Chance

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Serving Distinct Populations: Performance in Medicaid HMOs and Commercial HMOs

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to compare the preventable emergency department (ED) admissions of Medicaid health maintenance organization (HMO) beneficiaries and commercial HMO beneficiaries in the state of Florida, in addition to analyzing the effect of HMO market conditions in relation to these admissions. Paired and unpaired t tests and 10 regression equations were estimated using ED hospital admission data to examine the differences between Medicaid and commercial HMOs in 5 commonly recognized preventable hospitalization conditions. For the same preventable ED admissions, Medicaid and commercial HMO beneficiaries had statistically different rates of admission. In 3 of 5 conditions, Medicaid HMO beneficiaries had more preventable ED admissions than did commercial HMOs for the same con...

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision: It's Coming, Ready or Not: Corrigendum

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Compassion Fatigue and Burnout: What Managers Should Know

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Most health care employees experience and are bolstered by compassion satisfaction as they deal with patients in need. However, the more empathetic a health care provider is, the more likely he or she will experience compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is a negative syndrome that occurs when dealing with the traumatic experiences of patients, and examples of symptoms include intrusive thoughts, sleeping problems, and depression. Compassion fatigue is different from burnout. Compassion fatigue is a rapidly occurring disorder for primary health care workers who work with suffering patients, whereas burnout, a larger construct, is a slowly progressing disorder for employees who typically are working in burdensome organizational environments. Managers can mitigate problems associated with c...

An Empirical Investigation of the Differences Between Male and Female Medical School Physicians

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this research was to investigate gender-related differences among medical school faculty in a variety of areas such as information technology, medical malpractice, compensation, patient care, and carrier satisfaction. The Center for Studying Health System Change's 2008 Health Tracking Physician survey data consisting of 326 medical school faculty belonging to the American Medical Association were used in this study. t Tests indicate that female physicians practicing in medical schools were younger, had less experience, reported lower compensation, and were more likely to be primary care physicians. Male medical school physicians were significantly more concerned about being involved in a malpractice lawsuit. They reported a significantly higher percentage on income based on ...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Use of Governance Tools in Promotion of Health Care Information Technology Adoption by Physicians

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article details some governance tools that are frequently used to alleviate the financial concerns. Grants, loans, and tax expenditures are some of the options available to physicians to purchase electronic health records and other types of health care information technology. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Sustainability and the Health Care Manager: Part II

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article considers what is presently known and suggests that health care managers use an assessment framework to determine whether they are ready to achieve health care sustainability. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision: It's Coming, Ready or Not

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The current diagnostic and inpatient procedure coding system, International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), has been used in the United States since 1979. The coding system has become insufficient because of many medical and technological improvements that have occurred since then. On September 20, 2013, the US health care system will assign the final ICD-9-CM code. The new system, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification, Procedure Classification System, will become effective on October 1, 2013, including more codes and other differences. Although October 2013 is the implementation deadline, facilities should start preparing for the change at this time. A thorough understanding of the new official guidelines...

Addressing Employee Turnover and Retention: Keeping Your Valued Performers

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Employee turnover and employee retention are inextricably linked; to control turnover is to enhance retention. Turnover is a relatively simple concept; however, considerable confusion often results when addressing turnover because of differences in how it is defined; that is, what is counted, how it is counted, and how the turnover rates are expressed. Turnover is also costly, although not enough attention is paid to its cost because so much of it is indirect and thus not readily visible. There are a variety of causes of turnover, some that can be corrected and some that cannot be avoided. Reducing or otherwise controlling turnover requires continuing management attention to its causes and constant recognition of what can and should be controlled and what cannot be controlled. Ongoing atte...

Internal Marketing: Creating Quality Employee Experiences in Health Care Organizations

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

To cope with the recent challenges within the health care industry, health care managers need to engage in the internal marketing of their various services. Internal marketing has been used as an effective management tool to increase employees' motivation, satisfaction, and productivity (J Mark Commun. 2010;16(5):325-344). Health care managers should understand that an intense focus on internal marketing factors will lead to a quality experience for employees that will ultimately have a positive effect on the patient experiences. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Advanced Practice Nursing, Health Care Teams, and Perceptions of Team Effectiveness

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article summarizes the results of an extensive review of the organizational and health care literature of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles, health care teams, and perceptions of team effectiveness. Teams have a long history in health care. Managers play an important role in mobilizing resources, guiding expectations of APN roles in teams and within organizations, and facilitating team process. Researchers have identified a number of advantages to the addition of APN roles in health care teams. The process within health care teams are dynamic and responsive to their surrounding environment. It appears that teams and perceptions of team effectiveness need to be understood in the broader context in which the teams are situated. Key team process are identified for team members to per...

An Evidence-Based Case for the Value of Social Workers in Efficient Hospital Discharge

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken to make an evidence-based case for the value of social workers in efficient discharge of patients from acute care hospitals and to assist hospital managers in making informed staffing decisions. Hospital administrative databases from March 1 to November 30, 2008, were used for the analysis of inpatient discharges on days when social workers were on vacation compared with days fully staffed with social workers. Two performance measures, daily discharge rate and average length of stay, were evaluated. During the study period, 1825 patients were discharged from the General Internal Medicine inpatient service. Team discharge rates were significantly lower on social work vacation Fridays versus regular Fridays. In contrast, the average length of stay for patients discharg...

A Framework for Cultural Competence in Health Care Organizations

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article develops a framework to guide health care organizations as they focus on establishing culturally competent strategies and implementing best practices aimed to improve quality of care and achieve better outcomes for minority populations. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Using Monitoring and Controlling in an Electronic Health Record Module Upgrade: A Case Study

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article seeks to apply the 2 of these processes, monitoring and controlling, to an electronic health record module upgrade. Recommendations such as flexibility, tracking changes, project teams, milestones, and testing changes before implantation are discussed and applied to a case study. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: Delegation: Researching the Records

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

A Primer for Health Care Managers: Data Sanitization, Equipment Disposal, and Electronic Waste

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In this article, security regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act concerning data sanitization and the disposal of media containing stored electronic protected health information are discussed, and methods for effective sanitization and media disposal are presented. When disposing of electronic media, electronic waste-or e-waste-is produced. Electronic waste can harm human health and the environment. Responsible equipment disposal methods can minimize the impact of e-waste. Examples of how health care organizations can meet the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations while also behaving responsibly toward the environment are provided. Examples include the environmental stewardship activities of reduce, reuse, reeducate, recover, and...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

A Comparative Analysis of Factors That Hinder Primary Care Physicians' and Specialist Physicians' Ability to Provide High-Quality Care

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken to examine factors that hinder primary care physicians' and specialist physicians' ability to provide high-quality care. The study used data collected by the Center for Studying Health System Change's 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey. The 2008 Health Tracking Physician data set consisted of 4720 physicians belonging to the American Medical Association. Both primary care physicians and specialists rated care decisions rejected by insurance (49%, 51%), followed by patient being unable to pay for needed care (45%, 43%), and patient noncompliance with treatment recommendation (43%, 37%) as the top major problem areas in providing quality care to patients. In addition, 36% of primary care physicians and 27% of specialists reported that inadequate time with patients d...

The Laboratory Workforce Shortage: A Managerial Perspective

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article examines the current situation of the clinical laboratory workforce. It analyzes the different types of personnel; the managerial, supervision, and line positions that are key for different types of laboratories; the job outlook and recent projections for different types of staff; and the current issues, trends, and challenges of the laboratory workforce. Laboratory managers need to take action with strategies suggested for overcoming these challenges. Most importantly, they need to become transformational leaders by developing effective staffing models, fostering healthy and productive work environments, and creating value with a strategic management culture and implementation of knowledge management. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Addressing Problems of Employee Performance

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Employee performance problems are essentially of 2 kinds: those that are motivational in origin and those resulting from skill deficiencies. Both kinds of problems are the province of the department manager. Performance problems differ from problems of conduct in that traditional disciplinary processes ordinarily do not apply. Rather, performance problems are addressed through educational and remedial processes. The manager has a basic responsibility in ensuring that everything reasonable is done to help each employee succeed. There are a number of steps the manager can take to address employee performance problems. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Fall Prevention Conceptual Framework

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Falls can have lasting psychological and physical consequences, particularly fractures and slow-healing processes, and patients may also lose confidence in walking. Injuries from falls lead to functional decline, institutionalization, higher health care costs, and decreased quality of life. The process related to the problem of patient falls in the hospital, using the nursing model developed by the theorist, Ida Jean Orlando, is explained in this article. The useful tool that provides guidance to marketers in this endeavor is Maslow's hierarchy of needs. During acute illness, individuals are greatly in need of satisfying their physiological needs. If these needs are not met, patients leave the hospital lacking a positive experience. Initial fall risk assessment is critical to plan interven...

Sustainability and the Health Care Manager: Part I

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article examines the concept of sustainability and provides a broader definition of the term than going "green." Using a puzzle metaphor, the authors outline and explain the different components of sustainability and provide a checklist for achieving sustainability goals. In addition, resources such as guides and tools are reviewed and offered to assist managers in gaining more insight into the challenges and complexity of sustainability. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Layoffs at Hospitals: A Challenge for Health Care Managers

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Like other organizations that are directly impacted by the state of the economy, some hospitals and other health care providers are discovering that staff reductions are realities that heretofore have been rare during recessionary periods. Consequently, health care managers are increasingly required to notify affected workers of layoff and convey to them critical information in meetings that are often fraught with anxiety and anger. Nevertheless, there are steps that the organization's managers can take to ensure that layoffs are addressed in a professional manner that maintains the trust and respect of the workforce. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Health Care Transitions and the Aging Population: A Framework for Measuring the Value of Rapid Rehabilitation

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken to establish a framework to measure the value of rapid rehabilitation and identify indicators to quantify effective outcomes and efficient processes as health care services are delivered to the aging population across providers, services, and settings. The rapid rehabilitation protocol serving as intervention in this research provides patients (≥65 years old) the option to transition from the acute-care hospital, early in the continuum of care, to an outpatient, skilled nursing facility operated by a division of the hospital organization. A quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, retrospective study is designed to identify and quantify the relationships present in processes and outcomes inherent in health care transitions. Statistical analysis yields unexpected relati...

Electronic Health Record Project Initiation and Early Planning in a Community Health Center

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article applies 2 project management principles, initiation and early planning, to the electronic health record implementation in a community health center. Issues such as planning, financial considerations, and quality improvement are discussed. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Ethical Leadership Challenge: Creating a Culture of Patient- and Family-Centered Care in the Hospital Setting

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article addresses ways to improve safety, quality, patient satisfaction, and cost and thereby reduce medical errors and deaths by implementing a patient- and family-centered care culture. The first critical step for improvement is for hospital leaders and managers to answer the ethical call to create a culture centered on patient- and family-centered care in the hospital setting. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Demand Study for Advanced Dental Hygiene Educational Degrees: Part 2: Assessing Educational Demand

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Currently, the debate over the addition of the midlevel provider position for dental hygienists rages on. The midlevel provider (similar to the physician's assistant) in dentistry exists in a handful of states in various forms, but is hotly contested in many other states. This is the second half of a 2-part study undertaken to add to the current body of knowledge by addressing the clinical needs changing in our population and the associated demand study for additional educational degrees for dental hygienists to address these changing needs. Part 1 addressed a literature update on oral health and systemic correlations contributing to our populations' declining health conditions, whereas part 2 illustrates the results of the demand study. It attempts to benchmark "adequate demand" and appli...

Case in Health Care Management: "Hang on-I'll Call You Within Minutes"

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Depression Care Management: Impact of Implementation on Health System Costs

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the mental health care costs associated with implementation of a collaborative care management (CCM) of treatment for depression in primary care. A retrospective review of all costs was performed over a 2-year period associated with providing care to adult patients at clinical sites with CCM versus those with usual care, comparing total and mental health per member per month (PMPM) costs for 2008 and 2009 (patient population = 103 000). The mental health-PMPM costs as a percentage of total health care costs at the clinic without CCM were 4.65% in 2008 and 4.5% in 2009 (p = .085). In the clinics with CCM, there was a significant difference between the 2 years with a decrease noted in 2009 of 4.91% compared with 4.36% in 2008 (p < .0001). This study demonstrated that, on...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Department Manager's Checklist: Absenteeism

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Quality of Life of Hemodialysis and Renal Transplantation Patients

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease is an important indicator of disease burden. To achieve a better quality of life, some medical treatment might be replaced by other approaches. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of renal-transplanted and hemodialysis patients in Iran. Two hundred hemodialysis and 200 renal transplantation patients were recruited from 5 major hospitals and renal patients' support society in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected using the Persian versions of the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-Dialysis and Transplantation Version. The quality-of-life mean scores of renal transplantation patients were significantly better compared with those of the hemodialysis patients (21.36 [SD, 4.06] vs 20.35 [SD, 5.14]; P = .03)....

Toward the Adoption of Complexity Science in Health Care: Implications for Risk-Taking and Decision-Making Activities

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article explores the issues of risk taking and decision making in health care. An analysis of various sociocultural and psychological influences is provided for understanding of the dominant mind set in this industry. In tandem with this analysis, the evolution of system theories is described so as to promote understanding of the relative merits of the mechanistic and complexity philosophies. These philosophies are at odds with each other, conceptually and practically speaking; however, it seems that the complexity approach offers more promising strategies for the growth and development of health care. Recommendations for improving employee competencies and the organizational structure and culture in health care are offered in light of this analysis. These recommendations are relevant...

Implementation of Diagnosis-Related Mental Health Programs: Impact on Health Care Providers

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article presents the impact on health care providers of implementation of diagnosis-related mental health programs in the context of transformation of mental health services. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Leader Communication Styles and Organizational Health

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Communication is perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing managers and leaders today. Clearly articulating ideas and expectations to employees is vital to the productivity and the longevity of an organization. Furthermore, the style in which the communication is delivered has an influence on the satisfaction levels of employees. Research has discovered that there are many different styles in which a leader may communicate with employees. Research has provided several methods that aid in determining which style is the most appropriate for any given circumstance. Research has demonstrated how appropriate and effective communication is used to promote organizational health. Furthermore, research has demonstrated how inappropriate communication may decrease employee satisfaction. Finally,...

Assessing Your Office for Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article outlines several recommendations for how physicians can begin the process of assessing their office and practice habits for supportive care of LGBT patients, including evaluating your belief systems, understanding risk factors associated with LGBT patients, modifying medical intake forms and interview practices, reviewing staff training and office procedures, and becoming familiar with available tools and resources. With several minor but effective changes, you can offer your LGBT patients a practitioner who is (1) knowledgeable of relevant LGBT health care and basic human sexuality, (2) mindful and sensitive to the needs of diverse sexual and gender identities, and (3) capable of making interpersonal and office-related adjustments for the purpose of providing them with the be...

Electronic Health Record Implementations: Applying the Principles of Monitoring and Controlling to Achieve Success

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article seeks to apply 2 fundamental principles of project management, monitoring and controlling, to electronic health record implementation. Issues such as project costs, project progress, schedule controls, quality management, and controlling risks are discussed. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Demand Study for Advanced Dental Hygiene Educational Degrees: Part 1: Assessing the Clinical Changes of Our Population

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The debate over the addition of the midlevel provider position for dental hygienists currently rages on. The midlevel provider (similar to the physician's assistant) in dentistry exists in a handful of states but is hotly contested in many other states. This is a 2-part study to add to the current body of knowledge by addressing the changing clinical needs in our population and the associated demand study for additional educational degrees for dental hygienists to address these changing needs. Part 1 addresses a literature update on oral health and systemic correlations contributing to our populations' declining health conditions, whereas part 2 illustrates the results of the demand study. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: "A Case of Insubordination"

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Factors Impacting Perceived Threat of Malpractice Lawsuits by Various Medical Specialists

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken to examine perceived threat of malpractice lawsuits affecting different physician specialties and to examine factors that impact such perceptions of those specialties. The study used data collected by the Center for Studying Health System Change's 2008 Health Tracking Physician (HTP) Survey. The 2008 HTP data set consisted of 4720 physicians belonging to the American Medical Association. Primary care physicians, medical specialists, surgical specialists, psychiatrists, and obstetricians/gynecologists (ObGyns) physicians participated in the 2008 HTP Survey. The order (from high to low) of perceived threat of malpractice lawsuits for various specialists is surgical specialists (3.87), ObGyns (3.81), medical specialists (3.60), primary care physicians (3.55), and psychi...

Strengthening Affective Organizational Commitment: The Influence of Fairness Perceptions of Management Practices and Underlying Employee Cynicism

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the relationship between cynicism, the perceived fairness of change management and personnel practices, and affective organizational commitment. High levels of affective organizational commitment have been shown to reduce voluntary turnover in the nursing workforce. Previous research suggests that "unfair" management practices and employee cynicism lead to lower commitment. It is not clear, however, whether the perceived fairness of particular practices influences affective commitment beyond that accounted for by underlying employee cynicism. Data were obtained from a study involving 1104 registered nurses that formed part of a larger investigation of the general well-being of nurses in Western Australia. Only nurses who were permanent or employed on fixed term or t...

Acquisition and Allocation of Human, Financial, and Physical Resources in the Health Care System

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Based on the current financial status and forthcoming changes in the health care system, governing boards give chief executive officers the responsibility to manage human, financial, and physical resources. The role and degree of involvement of chief executive officers in managing resources-the resource allocation process, retention and recruitment, technology adaptation, reimbursement, and expansion of the outpatient program-are illustrated in this article. A new strategy for diverting resources to tap into the outpatient market is the appropriate direction to choose during days when the economy is down and people are not seeking inpatient treatment as in the past. Reimbursement in the future will depend on customer satisfaction scores; therefore, a dedicated and loyal staff is the most i...

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Future Health Care Manager: Erratum

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Contribution of the Psychosocial Work Environment to Psychological Distress Among Health Care Professionals Before and During a Major Organizational Change

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, to reduce the expected negative outcomes of restructuring on health care practitioners, managers could increase the number of opportunities for rewards, carefully explain the demands, and clarify the tasks to be performed by each of the employees to reduce their psychological burden and increase their perceptions of autonomy. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: "What Can I Do in Just One Hour?"

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Future Health Care Manager

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The decisions and actions of health care managers are oftentimes heavily scrutinized by the public. Given the current economic climate, managers may feel intense pressure to produce higher results with fewer resources. This could inadvertently test their moral fortitude and their social consciousness. A study was conducted to determine what corporate social responsibility orientation and viewpoint future health care managers may hold. The results of the study indicate that future health care managers may hold patient care in high regard as opposed to profit maximization. However, the results of the study also show that future managers within the industry may continue to need rules, laws, regulations, and legal sanctions to guide their actions and behavior. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Exemplary Physicians' Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Burnout has damaging effects on physicians. This research reveals how outstanding doctors avoid burnout. Winners of the American Medical Association Foundation's Pride in the Professions Award were interviewed to learn how they manage burnout. Information was collected through telephone interviews. The data were categorized through content analysis. The results showed that techniques for avoiding burnout varied and included setting limits, sharing issues with family and friends, physical exercise, cultivating relaxation, and humor. These doctors have become skilled at recognizing the signs of burnout and countering its effects while maintaining the highest standard of care and demonstrating leadership in their vocation. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Restructuring With the Middle-Management Advantage

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The strategic roles enabling conditions and intermediate outcomes of middle managers during a period of organizational restructuring were examined, with focus on developing an understanding of how senior management can best enable middle managers to achieve radical change. The case method was used, and data were collected from interviews with both middle and senior managers. Results revealed considerable differences between executives and middle mangers with regard to middle management's strategic roles, enabling conditions and outcomes. Findings suggest that the 2 groups have different perceptions on how best to support middle management in strategic roles, especially during a crisis. Senior managers felt that middle managers required much explanation and guidance concerning the restructu...

Dietary and Fluid Adherence in Iranian Hemodialysis Patients

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study aimed at assessing the factors suggestive of adherence in uremic patients on HD. Two hundred HD patients were recruited by census method. Data on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum potassium and phosphate levels, and interdialytic weight gain (IWG) were collected from medical records and analyzed. Most of the patients (56%) did not adhere to fluid restrictions. Nonadherence to phosphate, potassium, and BUN levels was 25.5%, 5.5%, and 4.5%, respectively. In addition, there was a relationship between BUN, serum potassium and phosphate levels, and IWG with educational status ( ≤ .05). However, there was no correlation between BUN, serum potassium and phosphate levels, and IWG with sex, age, financial status, marital status, and duration of dialysis ( > .05). Based on the result...

A Manager Asks: The Manager in the Middle: Frustration From Above and Below

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Changing Trends in Health Care Tourism

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Despite much coverage in the popular press, only anecdotal evidence is available on medical tourists. At first sight, they seemed confined to small and narrowly defined consumer segments: individuals seeking bargains in cosmetic surgery or uninsured and financially distressed individuals in desperate need of medical care. The study reported in this article is the first empirical investigation of the medical tourism consumer market. It provides the demographic profile, motivations, and value perceptions of health care consumers who traveled abroad specifically to receive medical care. The findings suggest a much broader market of educated and savvy health care consumers than previously thought. In the backdrop of the health care reform, the article concludes with implications for health car...

Change Can Work for You or Against You: It's Your Choice

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

As knowledge exploded and technology advanced in the last 2 centuries or so, present and several recent generations became the first in history to experience massive change in their lifetimes. In our era of rapid change for which no end is in sight, people have had to adjust to the fact that security no longer resides in constancy, in being consistent, unchanging, and loyal, that today's security, if such exists, is found in flexibility and adaptability. Change is never-ending, change is rapid, and resistance to change is always a concern for managers at all levels and for all nonmanagerial employees as well. Change upsets many people; change forces individuals out of their comfort zone so that they no longer are in equilibrium with their environment. There are a number of kinds of change ...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Lessons Learned From Physicians Who Have Gone Electronic

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article defines health care informatics, outlines the provisions of the Act and associated incentives that are available to hospitals and physicians, discusses the advantages and barriers related to upgrading to an electronic medical records system that have been identified in the literature, and details several case studies where small physician group practices put electronic medical records systems into operation. The analysis of these cases shows that the challenges faced by the physicians and practice administrators reinforce the key challenges identified in the literature. Given these seemingly common impediments, suggestions for overcoming such challenges are summarized. These key lessons should be of interest to any practice looking to upgrade their medical records system. (Sou...

Technological Trends in Health Care: Electronic Health Record

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article also identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the EHR and steps to be taken by hospitals and physician medical groups to receive stimulus payment. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: When You Want Something Done Right

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Exploring Nurses' Perceptions of Organizational Factors of Collaborative Relationships

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study supports the need for health care managers to promote and invest in alternative means of communication technology and to structure clinical care environments to help promote the development of collaborative relationships within health care teams. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Health Care Managers as Educational Evaluators and Accreditation Support Personnel

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article presents an overview of the traditional role of health care managers, along with their expanded role as evaluators of students in clinical settings. This article also highlights the use of the evaluations from 35 health care managers in the professional development of students and as accreditation support for a university's business college. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Hospital Chief Executive Officer Perspective on Professional Development Activities

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions suggest that verifiable quantitative data are needed for understanding of the frequency of participation and resource commitment of health care organizations toward the professional development of CEOs and senior managers. The results of this perceptual study reveal a high level of importance accorded to various forms of professional development activities by the participating CEOs. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Your Workers May Be Contingent But Your Liability for Them Is Certain: Part III: Other Employment Issues

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article, the concluding part of a 3-part examination of contingent employment, addresses additional issues including benefits, tax implications, workers' compensation, contract considerations, and the screening of potential staffing partners. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Patients Are Not Always Rational: The Leadership Challenge to Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Future of Retail Clinics: In a Volatile Health Care Environment

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article assesses the retail clinic trend and explores its future viability in the volatile health care environment. Eight administrative and clinical leaders in 7 health systems that are affiliated with or own retail clinics were asked specific questions about the future evolution of retail clinics. Respondents offered mixed opinions about the future of retail clinics, and most were skeptical about their growth potential. Some of the respondents believed that health care reform will be supportive of retail clinics, but there was uncertainty about the specific effects of expansion in insurance coverage. Respondents reacted differently to the prospect of retail clinics expanding their scope of practice to include chronic conditions. Some of them welcomed the trend, but the majority was ...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Consumer-Directed Health Plans: Are Medical and Health Savings Accounts Viable Options for Financing American Health Care?

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article seeks to provide the reader with a better understanding of how CDHPs can help to improve the use of health resources and reduce national health care expenditures by exploring the history and previous research on several types of consumer-directed plans and by providing a comparative analysis of the use of CDHPs in other countries. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

See Your Ideas in Print: Write for a Professional Journal

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Those who have sometimes thought about writing for a professional journal should be encouraged by the fact that most journal writers are the same as journal readers-practitioners and educators who have something of potential value to share with others. There are career-enhancing advantages in journal writing, and there can be a significant amount of personal satisfaction as well. Succeeding at writing and placing a journal article requires the following: selecting an appropriate topic; knowing the publication and its audience and framing the article in the appropriate style; working with the journal editor to create an acceptable manuscript, which includes responding positively to the editor's criticisms and suggestions; and observing all submission requirements and deadlines. One who foll...

Emergency Department Utilization by Insured Users: A Study of Motivating Factors

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study seeks to understand why insured patients use EDs rather than more appropriate medical alternatives available to reduce the strain they are placing on this critical portal of entry. This exploratory research study surveyed insured patients presenting to 1 of 4 Central Florida EDs. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify groups of insured ED users defined by motivating factors. This study found that there exists a disconnect between insured individuals and the primary care system. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Quality of Internal Communication in Health Care and the Professional-Patient Relationship

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken for the purpose of describing internal communication and the professional-patient relationship and to establish a descriptive model of the interaction between these 2 variables. A nationwide survey was carried out in primary care and specialist care centers in Spain. A simple random sampling method was used with 1183 health care professionals. The data collection instrument was a Likert questionnaire that recorded information on the perceived quality of internal communication (0-100 scale), professional-patient relationships (0-100 scale), and sociodemographic variables. The results were analyzed using SPSS 15.0, performing mean comparisons and a suitable linear regression model. The total average of the quality of internal communication was 53.79 points, and that o...

A Mechanism of Institutional Isomorphism in Referral Networks Among Hospitals in Seoul, South Korea

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

This study assessed referral networks according to the institutional isomorphism theory of new economic sociology. As a result, the referral networks were shown to exhibit emergent structural hierarchy via cumulative clustering by established year and were not affected by attributive variables such as region, bed number, and year of establishment. In particular, the networks evidenced institutional isomorphism with certain central hospitals. As a consequence, personal indices were shown to decrease in accordance with its period, and only the structural index increased. Normative pressures cause organizations to become hierarchically homogenized, in accordance with the principle of organizational learning in specialized fields. Therefore, normative isomorphism on the basis of public domains...

Managing Human Resources for Successful Strategy Execution

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

This article suggests how people can be managed more effectively to facilitate the execution of strategies and improve organizational performance. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Your Workers May Be Contingent, But Your Liability for Them Is Certain: Part II: Issues Under Federal Employment and Labor Legislation

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

This article, the second part of a 3-part examination of contingent employment, addresses the effects of several key pieces of employment and labor legislation on the employment of contingent workers. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

A Volunteer-Based Hospital Elder Life Program to Reduce Delirium

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

A community hospital with nearly 50% of its admitted patients 70 years or older adapted the well-established Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). The primary adaptation entailed an enhanced participation of trained volunteers in HELP interventions designed to prevent and reduce delirium. Integral program elements include detailed volunteer training, required demonstration of competencies, and regular evaluation and feedback of volunteers provided by program staff. Nurse satisfaction with HELP increased from 64% to 91% in the second year of implementation, and a survey of patients and families indicated that 95% were satisfied with HELP. This innovative volunteer-assisted model of elder care support was positively embraced by patients, their families, and the nursing staff and supported by n...

Consumer-Directed Health Care: Implications for Health Care Organizations and Managers

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

This article uses a pyramid model to illustrate the key components of consumer-directed health care. Consumer-directed health care is considered the essential strategy needed to lower health care costs and is valuable for making significant strides in health care reform. Consumer-directed health care presents new challenges and opportunities for all health care stakeholders and their managers. The viability of the health system depends on the success of managers to respond rapidly and with precision to changes in the system; thus, new and modified roles of managers are necessary to successfully sustain consumerism efforts to control costs while maintaining access and quality. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Maybe Someone Should Tell the Nurses: Pay-for-Performance

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Medical and health care administration literature is replete with information on the growing pay-for-performance (p4p) reimbursement movement. In contrast, nursing literature is scant regarding information that nurses need to know as health care team members. The nurse plays a vital, yet not well-defined role, in measurable health care outcomes-the basis of p4p. Nurses' understanding and "buying into" p4p are vital for this reimbursement system to be successful. Hospital administrators' interest in current practice trends, such as electronic medical records, evidence-based practice, clinical pathways, and standardized order sets, is linked directly to the p4p movement. The nation's 2.9 million nurses (American Nurses Association) need to be knowledgeable about the issues surrounding p4p an...

Examining Human Resources' Efforts to Develop a Culturally Competent Workforce

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

The increasing diversification of the nation's population poses significant challenges in providing care that meets the needs of culturally diverse patients. Human resource management plays a vital role in developing a more culturally competent workforce. This exploratory study examines current efforts by human resource directors (HRDs) in Alabama's general hospitals to recruit more diverse candidates, train staff, and make language access resources available. A questionnaire was developed based on the Office of Minority Health's Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services standards. The HRDs of the 101 Alabama general hospitals served as the study's target population. A sample of 61 responses, or 60.4% of the population, was obtained. The findings indicate that most HRDs are focusi...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: The Alternate Day Off

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Sexuality in the Workplace: Where Do We Stand?

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Increasingly, organizational leaders must face the perplexing problem of dealing with sexual relationships in the workplace. Given recent changes in the composition of our workforce, there is a critical need for leaders to manage sexual workplace relationships and to do so in a way that acknowledges both individual and organizational needs. As a result, organizations must distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviors. For organizations to set effective and realistic behavioral guidelines, it is imperative that leaders gain a clearer understanding of the issues that surround sexuality in the workplace. In response to this need, this article discusses the characteristics of sexual workplace relationships, explain the individual and organizational factors that encourage t...

The Impact of Education Regarding the Needs of Pediatric Leukemia Patients' Siblings on the Parents' Knowledge and Practice

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of educational intervention on parents' knowledge and performance of the social needs of the healthy siblings of the pediatric leukemia patients. Inadequate care and attention to siblings of pediatric leukemia patients might result in psychosomatic disorders. Parents' knowledge on prevention of such disorders is of great importance. The study proposed to determine the effects of educational intervention concerning parents. Sixty parents of pediatric leukemia patients entered this study. The subjects were selected using convenient sampling method and were randomly categorized into 2 groups: experimental and control. Data were collected before, 1 hour after, and 2 months after the intervention, using a questionnaire. The educational program was ...

Cardiovascular Supply Cost Negotiations: Partnering for the Future

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

As a major expense driver to cardiovascular programs, supply costs related to electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization procedures directly link to the overall financial health of organizations associated with those programs. Because of this, it is important that institutions establish a logical and resolute approach to obtaining supply pricing that maximizes cost-saving opportunities, buffers their organizations from escalating costs related to the advances in available technologies, defines supply chain expectations while preserving clinicians' access to high-quality cardiovascular supplies, and maintains the availability of the full spectrum of products to our physicians, referring physicians, and patients. In a joint effort with physicians, administration, and suppliers, and in the...

Case in Health Care Management: I'll Get Around to It

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

HIPAA: SOP: HIPAA as Standard Operating Procedures

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Upon the debut of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), many health care managers felt that the implementation process would be too expensive, arduous, and time-consuming. Now, several years later, it is clear that the way to manage HIPAA is to make it a part of one's standard operating procedures. Using this approach, HIPAA is cost-effective, manageable, and efficient. Health care managers can utilize the step-by-step procedures presented here to efficaciously implement and manage HIPAA. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Factors Associated With Financial Distress of Nonprofit Hospitals

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the multiple factors that may explain the financial distress of nonprofit hospitals during 1998 to 2001 and discussed their importance. To obtain more robust results, financial distress was assessed in 2 ways: first, financial strength index was used to incorporate 4 financial dimensions including profitability, liquidity, leverage, and physical facilities; second, cash flow (CF) was used to address the issues of accrual-based accounting in hospitals. This study finds that decrease in occupancy rate and increase in Medicaid payer mix, health maintenance organization penetration, market competition, physician supply, and percentage of the elderly are associated with increased likelihood of financial distress of urban hospitals. Increases in both Medicare and Medicaid pay...

Self-management: Key to Success as a Manager

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Self-management for the working manager must begin with a brutally honest self-evaluation followed by a stubbornly determined effort to change. In the process, it is necessary to put oneself in perspective relative to the management role and put management itself into perspective for what it really is and what its requirements demand of the individual manager. It is necessary to examine one's capabilities and one's likes and dislikes as they relate to the management role and do something about these as circumstances demand. Self-management also requires recognizing the essential balance between the individual as a manager and as a knowledgeable specialist in some occupation or profession. Improvement in self-management requires dramatic change in some habits and involves self-assessment of...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Trust: The Sublime Duty in Health Care Leadership

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article views trust as the most basic fundamental quality for leadership. Trust is a sublime duty of a leader and the leadership of an organization. Leadership sets the culture of trust. Trust is the one quality that is essential for guiding an organization toward serving others. This article addresses trust from many perspectives. Trust is viewed from our subordinates, our peers, our superiors, and the publics we serve. This article postulates how trust in an organization is the sublime duty of leadership that unites all human understanding and without it destroys all human relationships. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Your Workers May Be Contingent, But Your Liability for Them Is Certain: Part I: Employment Status and Fair Labor Standards Act Issues

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Hiring contingent workers can significantly help health care employers reduce labor costs while maintaining the staff required for quality patient care. However, a number of federal laws create legal landmines that await the unsuspecting employer. The purpose of this article was to familiarize health care employers with some of the rapidly evolving legal issues that surround the use of contingent workers. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Consumer-Directed Health Care: Understanding Its Value in Health Care Reform

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this article is to describe the importance of consumer-directed health care as the essential strategy needed to lower health care costs and support its widespread adoption for making significant strides in health care reform. The pros and cons of health care consumerism are discussed. The intent is to show that the viability of the US health care system depends on the application of appropriate consumer-directed health care strategies. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Hospital In-house Laboratories: Examining the External Environment

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article examines 4 distinct environmental factors: demographic and socioeconomic trends, reimbursement and financing, government policy, and clinical events. Each of these external environmental factors provides 2 broad sources of interest to hospitals and their in-house laboratory components: opportunities on which to capitalize and hazards against which to defend. (C)2010Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Medical Response Planning for Pandemic Flu

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This quantitative research study evaluates the health care infrastructure necessary to provide medical care in US hospitals during a flu pandemic. These hospitals are identified within the US health care system because they operate airborne infectious isolation rooms. Data were obtained from the 2006 American Hospital Association annual survey. This data file provides essential information on individual US hospitals and identifies the health care capabilities in US communities. Descriptive statistics were evaluated to examine hospitals with the appropriate infrastructure to treat a flu pandemic. In addition, geographic information system software was used to identify geographic areas where essential infrastructure is lacking. The study found 3,341 US hospitals operate airborne infectious i...

Allied Health Students' Perceptions of Effective Clinical Instruction

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the teaching abilities and professional development training needs of clinical supervisors as identified by student perceptions. Results were compared with the results of the clinical supervisors' perceptions of themselves. A survey addressed the students' perceptions of the clinical supervisors' teaching skills. Results revealed that both students and clinical supervisors identified similar professional development training needs as they related to the improvement of teaching skills. The identified needs were understanding different learning styles, planning learning experiences prior to students' arrival, giving feedback, and assessing student skills based on learning goals. Students and clinical supervisors agreed on the areas that need to be addressed to improve the...

Critical Access Hospital Chief Executive Officer Turnover: Implications and Challenges for Governing Boards

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Small rural hospitals, categorized as critical access hospitals (CAHs), are essential to the provision of health care in rural areas of the United States. Critical access hospitals, however, are faced with numerous challenges to their survival that are unique to their role as a rural health care provider. One of the most significant of these challenges involves the retention of well-qualified chief executive officers (CEOs). Following an assessment of the negative implications associated with CEO turnover, the study utilizes survey data obtained from CAHs experiencing CEO turnover to suggest strategies that can be implement by CAH governing board to retain CEO leadership and mitigate the negative impact of CEO turnover. A key issue identified by the authors involves the critical role playe...

Privacy Policy Analysis for Health Information Networks and Regional Health Information Organizations

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:40:23 +0100

This article compares several RHIOs including their privacy policies where available. In addition, studies were reviewed considering privacy concerns of people in the United States and elsewhere. Surveys reveal that Americans are concerned about the privacy of their personal health information and ultimately feel it is the role of the government to provide protection. The purpose of this article is to look at the privacy issues and recommend a policy that may help to resolve some of the concerns of both providers and patients. Policy research and action are needed to move the National Health Information Network toward reality. Efforts to provide consistency in privacy laws are a necessary early step to facilitate the construction and maintenance of RHIOs and the National Health Information...

Strategic Analyses in Nursing Schools: Attracting, Educating, and Graduating More Nursing Students: Part I-Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:28:35 +0100

The shortage of nurses in the United States remains a persistent problem. Faced with this reality, nursing programs in colleges and universities continue to struggle to expand enrollment levels to meet the spiraling demand. This research uses familiar tools in strategic management: the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and stakeholder analysis as initial steps to draw more students to the profession of nursing. In a 2-round modified Delphi survey, chief administrators of schools of nursing identify the main SWOT of schools of nursing and the important internal and external stakeholders that influence nursing school success. The authors of the research suggest ways to use that knowledge to increase the enrollment level of nursing students. Part I of this rese...

Organizational Characteristics Associated With Cultural and Linguistic Service Provision Within Alabama Hospitals

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:26 +0100

Like several states in the Southeast, Alabama is in the nascent stages of an increase in the population of foreign-born individuals for whom English is a second language. These individuals are also culturally different from the traditional southern population. Given the impact of culture and language on a person's service utilization, the introduction of new cultures may pose significant challenges for Alabama's health care providers if they are not prepared. The purpose of this project is to examine the organizational characteristics associated with the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services by Alabama hospitals. The data for the project come from a survey of all medical/surgical hospitals (N = 101). Fifty-nine surveys were returned, giving us a 58% response rate....

Snapshots of Health Care Managers: A Measure of Leadership

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:26 +0100

Based on a global survey of leaders, this article examines the challenges facing health care managers today and uncovers best practices to develop and select leaders, especially those on the frontline. Highlights include hiring processes that identify motivated, potential leaders who have the knowledge, experience, competencies, and attributes to get the job done. (C)2007Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Motivating Your Employees and Yourself: How Different is the Manager From the Staff?

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:26 +0100

Managers often tend to behave as though they are responsive to different motivating forces than their employees. However, employees at all levels are much alike in terms of what they wish to obtain from their work. There are drives that vary in intensity from person to person, but the basic motivating forces remain the same. Essentially, it is not possible to "motivate" another person as such; it is possible only to create the conditions under which the individual can become self-motivated. The manager must appreciate the key principles of motivation, including the relationship between repetition and reinforcement and the importance of timely feedback. Also, the manager must learn what his or her legitimate role is concerning the fulfillment of employee needs. Successful managers will be t...

Nurse-Nurse Manager Conflict: How Do Nurse Managers Manage It?

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:26 +0100

This study was conducted to determine the conflict management styles used by nurse managers when in conflict with nurses and to ascertain the differences between sociodemographic characteristics and the style used. The study was conducted on 71 nurse managers working in 3 different hospitals in Antalya (Turkey). A personal information form and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory II were used for data collection. The most commonly used style by nurse managers when in conflict was integrating, and the least commonly used was avoiding. There was no difference between the style used and the nurses' educational status, marital status, and years of employment. The obliging style was used the most by those 45 years and older and those with 20 years or more of management experience, whereas th...

Medicare-The Development of Publicly Financed Health Insurance: Medicare's Impact on the Nation's Health Care System

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:32:26 +0100

This article discusses the development of Medicare and its administration and serves as an introduction to the complex realities of health care reimbursement policy. (C)2005Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Changing Workforce Demographics Necessitates Succession Planning in Health Care

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:31:59 +0100

This article seeks to provide health care managers with a framework for improving the systematic preparation of the next generation of managers by analyzing the succession planning process. The proposition of these models is to initiate and simplify the gap reduction between theoretical concepts and future organizational application. (C)2007Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Causes and Consequences of Conflict and Violence in Nursing Homes: Working Toward a Collaborative Work Culture

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:37:52 +0100

Interpersonal conflict, often spiraling to violence and abuse, is one of the most daunting challenges facing nursing home administrators and their departmental heads. Mounting evidence documents how they spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with angry families, adversarial ombudsmen, regulators, and other hostile parties as well as handling the aftermath of the ubiquitous conflict between the residents and their direct caregivers. All this is in addition to coping with the normal interdepartmental and line staff forms of conflict that typify any organization. This paper details the special dynamics that accelerate dysfunctional conflict in nursing homes and presents strategies, tactics, and style recommendations that will help nursing home leaders build more collaborative work cultur...

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree as Entry Level for Practice : Recapturing the Vision in the United States

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:40:01 +0100

This article advances the importance of developing a vision for the future of nursing in the United States, in which the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is the entry-level standard. (C)2006Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Labor Relations Strategies and Tactics in Hospital Elections

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:22:47 +0100

This article explores various labor relations strategies and tactics used by hospitals in union elections. Union avoidance and union substitution were the two most widely used, with union avoidance being the best way to fight unions. Regardless of the strategy used, unions won a majority of the elections, most often using a neutral or accommodative strategy. Some widely used management tactics during an election included: hiring a labor lawyer, using a consultant known for breaking unions, and prohibiting distribution of union literature in non-working areas of hospitals. (C) 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Managers and Mergers: Functioning in a Blended Organization

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:44:06 +0100

Health care is well along in its steady change from a cottage industry of scattered providers to an industry of larger organizations and multi-institutional systems. Various organizational combinations continue to occur, especially in the form of mergers, affiliations, and the creation and expansion of health care systems. In the midst of this ongoing dramatic change, the role of the individual manager remains essentially unchanged in concept, but the arena in which it is applied is rapidly changing. Areas of responsibility are becoming broader, staffs are becoming larger for individual managers, and many of the older "principles" of management are being tested and strained. Today's health care manager is learning that survival and success depend more than ever on flexibility and adaptabil...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Three Components of Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction of Hospital Nurses in Iran

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion and implication: The 3 components of commitment are variously related to job satisfaction. Nursing managers should pay attention to different components of commitment variously to promote the appropriate type of commitment needed for specific situation in which they work. (C)2009Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Creating a Winning Organizational Culture

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article explores the idea of how to create a winning organizational culture. By definition, a winning organizational culture is one that is able to make current innovations stick, while continuously changing based on the demands of the marketplace. More importantly, the article explores the notion that a winning organizational culture can have a profound impact on the conscious of the workforce, helping each individual to become a better, more productive person, who provides important services and products to the community. To form a basis toward defining the structure of what a winning organization culture looks like, 4 experts were asked 12 questions related to the development of an organizational culture. Three of the experts have worked intimately within the health care industry, ...

The Differences in Keeping Both Male and Female Physicians Healthy

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

There is a scarcity of research that addresses the sex difference of health concerns among physicians. There has apparently been no research addressing the health problems of female physicians who are clients of physician health programs. Client files (n = 1,239) during 1997 to 2007 were examined to determine whether significant associations were found between sexes and the following variables: age, marital status, primary presenting problem, referral source, and referral status (mandated or voluntary). This retrospective study used [chi]2 analysis and frequency distribution. Sex differences among variables were outlined. Female clients were younger and never married, whereas male clients were older and partnered. More women tended to come voluntarily; men were mandated. Women self-referre...

Everyone Wants to Help the Uninsured, But Who Will Pay the Bill? Why a National Lottery May Make Sense

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

There is a growing dissatisfaction with the American health care system that results primarily from the problem of the uninsured. This problem threatens not only the health of the uninsured, but also the health of our hospitals and ultimately of all Americans. There is a growing support for a universal health care plan, but less support for new taxes to pay for such coverage. One method to pay for universal health care may be to use the proceeds of a national lottery. In addition to possibly being more politically acceptable, there are a number of specific benefits that may follow from such a plan. (C)2009Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Health Care Communication Networks: Disseminating Employee Information for Hospital Security

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study examined the problems surrounding organizational information sharing and the cultural factors necessary to enhance the exchange of employee information. Surveys were disseminated to 2,603 hospital chief executive officers and chief information officers throughout the nation. A sample of 154 respondents provided data into their current hiring practices and on their willingness to engage in the sharing of employee information. Findings indicated that, although fear of defamation and privacy violations do hinder the exchange of information between hospitals during the hiring process, by increasing external trust, linking the sharing process with the organizational goals of the hospital, and developing a "sharing culture" among hospitals, the exchange of employee information could b...

Human Experimentation: Historical Perspective of Breaches of Ethics in US Health Care

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Health care supervisors and managers may participate in ethical discussions and serve on ethics committees in their health care organizations. To aid them in their participation and service, this article expands upon the knowledge of ethics that they obtained in their academic training. The article provides readers with a common language based on frequently cited cases and key documents. The article traces a brief history of human experimentation, describes ethical breaches in the United States, and summarizes key documents guiding current thought on informed and voluntary consent. The article concludes with 3 common misconceptions that health care supervisors and managers will want to avoid in ethical discussions and ethical decision making. Health care supervisors and managers will be pr...

The Business of Academic Medicine Is a Business Like No Other: A Perspective

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

The financial challenges facing the academic medical centers and in particular the departments of medicine continue to escalate. In response, many centers have been increasing their expectations of clinical productivity while holding the physician compensation down. This model of capitalization of such centers intuitively makes little sense from a business perspective but has potential advantages in the short run and may be surprisingly sustainable for a variable period, depending on a number of factors; in some instances, it may last long enough to be considered a long-term success. The reason for this counterintuitive notion is that the business of academic medicine is quite different from traditional business. The comparative profiles of the academic medicine business and the other for-...

What Future Health Care Providers Will Need to Know About Child Abuse and Neglect

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study examined the training needs of allied health students to be legally responsible in reporting child abuse and neglect. A questionnaire was administered to 236 students enrolled in 5 allied health programs. The questionnaire addressed the knowledge base and perceptions of allied health students in regard to child abuse and neglect. Results revealed that most allied health students felt inadequately prepared academically in the topic of child abuse and neglect. Only half of the students knew they could be charged with a crime for failure to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Nursing students, female students, and students older than 25 years were those likely to report child abuse and neglect. Students appear to have insufficient preparation in the areas of knowing how t...

Case in Health Care Management: Just Enough to Squeak Through

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Ethics: The Evidence of Leadership

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:52:52 +0100

This article addresses the ethical issues facing today's health care leaders. In this article, an overview of the history and philosophy of ethics is provided along with definitions, guidelines, and a model to assist the leadership in health care organization to pursue and to adhere to a more ethical course. (C)2007Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

A Study of the Skills and Roles of Senior-Level Health Care Managers

The Health Care Manager — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:43:46 +0100

This study identifies the most essential skills and roles of senior-level health care managers. The study first reviews the literature to describe major forces in the health care environment that impact management and then discusses the skills and roles of managers. From this, a descriptive list of skills and roles is created. Ten senior-level managers were interviewed to reveal six roles and associated skills necessary for managing in the current health care environment. (C)2003Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Generation-Y Workforce in Health Care: The New Challenge for Leadership

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:42:10 +0100

Gossip and Nurses: Malady or Remedy?

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:33:55 +0100

This article highlights the positive and negative aspects of gossip and provides strategies to help nursing professionals effectively manage this workplace issue. Unmanaged gossip can have a negative effect on the workplace by damaging relationships and reputations. Gossip that is managed effectively can have a positive effect on the workplace by building social bonds within the nursing unit. (C)2007Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Not-For-Profit Versus For-Profit Health Care Providers-Part I: Comparing and Contrasting Their Records

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:33:55 +0100

This article is part I of a 2-part series on comparing and contrasting the performance records of NFP health care providers with their FP counterparts. Although it is demonstrated that both NFP and FP providers perform virtuous and selfless feats on behalf of America's public, it is also shown that both camps are involved in potentially willful clinical and administrative missteps. Part I contains the background information (eg, legal differences, perspectives on social responsibility, and types of questionable and fraudulent behavior) that is necessary to adequately understand the scope of the comparison issue. Part II offers actual comparisons of the 2 organizational structures using several disparate factors such as specific organizational behaviors, approach to the health care prioriti...

Delegating Decision Making in Health Care Organizations

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:01:47 +0100

This article explores the realm of delegation from the behavioral standpoint. Delegation is defined as well as reasons why it fails. The limitations of decision making as related to delegation are covered. Ways in which health care organizations can improve managerial decision making to make a positive impact on delegation are explored. Finally, considerations for managers to engage in effective delegation are delineated. (C)2006Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Paradox of the Not-for-profit Hospital

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:12:36 +0100

This study clearly demonstrates that not-for-profit hospital managers are faced with declining profitability and are challenged to reduce hospital-operating expenses while meeting their charitable mission. Additionally, the greater size and increased clinical complexity of not-for-profit hospitals are increasing organizational overhead. In many cases, the increased clinical complexity is a commitment to the organizational mission of providing a full range of services to the community. From a policy perspective, the study suggests that not-for-profit hospitals have aging facilities and reduced cash flow due to lower profit margins. As a result, many not-for-profit hospitals face potential bankruptcy and closure. This study clearly documents a threat to the provision of charity care in local...

Medicare's Operational History and Impact on Health Care

The Health Care Manager — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:01:20 +0100

Medicare was originally designed in the 1960s to fit into the existing health care delivery system. However, the program's early years showed an inflationary impact on health care costs. Medicare was the second largest federal domestic program and the fastest growing one, making it a target for those concerned about the size of government in general. By 1980, Medicare constituted 15% of the nation's expenditures for personal health care; and Medicare's administrators recommended substantive changes in provider payments through the introduction of the prospective payment system. Prospective payment system legislation impacted hospitals initially and later skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. As policymakers made changes in Medicare payments to providers, providers made chang...

Measuring Functional Service Quality Using SERVQUAL in a High-Dependence Health Service Relationship

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:04:47 +0100

Although there is a growing concern about health care quality, little research has focused on how to measure quality in long-term care settings. In this article, we make the following observations: (1) most users of the SERVQUAL instrument reassess customers' expectations each time they measure quality perceptions; (2) long-term care relationships are likely to be ongoing, dependent relationships; (3) because of this dependence, customers in the long-term care setting are likely to reduce their expectations when faced with poor service quality; (4) by using this "settled" expectations level, service providers may make biased conclusions of quality improvements. We recommend various methods for overcoming or minimizing this "settling" effect and propose modifications to the SERVQUAL gap 5 m...

Strategies to Decrease Medication Errors

The Health Care Manager — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:55:22 +0100

This article discusses strategies to decrease medication errors and increase patient safety during medication administration. (C)2003Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

A Critical Examination of Formal and Informal Mentoring Among Nurses

The Health Care Manager — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:06:49 +0100

This article focuses on how mentoring among nurses can help them to better serve their profession and health care organizations to more successfully achieve their goals. Specifically, it addresses how formal and informal mentoring can yield benefits to both the nursing profession and health care organizations. It presents some advantages and disadvantages of formal and informal mentoring. Finally, it delineates some important considerations that should be carefully analyzed before establishing a formal program. (C)2005Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Strengthening Organizational Commitment: Understanding the Concept as a Basis for Creating Effective Workforce Retention Strategies

The Health Care Manager — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:53:52 +0100

One of the most significant challenges facing any health care leader today is that of building commitment among followers. The last decade, with its tumultuous changes in our organizations, left many employees emotionally detached from their workplace. Mistrust, increasing cynicism, escalating financial pressures, and continuing challenges adversely impact our workforce's organizational commitment. The author explores the concept of commitment, which can serve as a basis for developing practical effective retention strategies. (C)2004Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Does Requiring Continuing Education Units for Professional Licensing Renewal Assure Quality Patient Care?

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:06 +0100

This study features an extensive review of the literature to analyze the supportive as well as the opposing views of mandatory CEUs for professional license renewal. Most of the studies reviewed reported almost no relationship between participation in traditional continuing education courses and improved patient outcomes. Several recommendations evolved out of this study for improving patient outcomes following the attendance of continuing education courses. (C)2006Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Not-for-profit Versus For-profit Health Care Providers-Part II: Comparing and Contrasting Their Records

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:06 +0100

This article is part II of a 2-part series on comparing and contrasting the performance records of NFP health care providers with their FP counterparts. Although it is demonstrated that both NFP and FP providers perform virtuous and selfless feats on behalf of America's public, it is also shown that both camps have been accused of being involved in potentially willful clinical and administrative missteps. Part I provided the background information (eg, legal differences, perspectives on social responsibility, and types of questionable and fraudulent behavior) required to adequately understand the scope of the comparison issue. Part II offers actual comparisons of the 2 organizational structures using several disparate factors such as specific organizational behaviors, approach to the healt...

Hospitalists: Evolution, Evidence, and Eventualities

The Health Care Manager — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:51:37 +0100

Hospitalists are physicians who spend at least 25% of their professional time serving as the physicians-of-record for inpatients, during which time they accept "hand-offs" of hospitalized patients from primary care providers, returning the patients to their primary care providers at the time of hospital discharge. The hospitalist movement is only about 5 years old, yet at least 7000 hospitalists practice today and an estimated 19,000 will ultimately practice, approximately the current number of emergency medicine physicians. The emerging positivist literature on hospitalists' impact is the subject of this review. It traces the nature and evolution of the hospitalist movement; summarizes empirical evidence about costs, clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and education; and appraises wh...

Diversity and Cultural Competence Training in Health Care Organizations: Hallmarks of Success

The Health Care Manager — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:51:37 +0100

The authors reviewed recent literature on diversity training interventions and identified effective practices for health care organizations. Self-reported satisfaction was especially likely to be found as a result of training, whereas attitude change measured by standardized instruments was mixed. Although those responsible for diversity training in the workplace agree that behavioral change is key, awareness building and associated attitude change remain the focus of most diversity training in the workplace. Consequently, the authors recommend a systems approach to diversity training interventions wherein training is a key component of a health care organization's strategic approach to organizational performance, and diversity training is linked to the organizations' strategic goals for i...

Creating a Culture of Service Excellence: Empowering Nurses Within the Shared Governance Councilor Model

The Health Care Manager — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:47:39 +0100

Through the shared governance council model, staff nurses at Delnor Community Hospital were empowered in an organization that encouraged professional autonomy over practice, effective communication, and development of leadership skills. Nursing strategic plans were carefully designed and specifically structured to lead to successful implementation of a shared governance model and a new nursing culture of excellence. The shared decision-making structure was the vehicle used to integrate the 14 standards of Magnet Nursing to create a culture of high-quality nursing practice to achieve optimal outcomes. Nursing excellence was further verified by achieving outstanding results in patient, physician, and nurse satisfaction scores and nurse retention. (C)2004Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (S...

Roles, Skills, and Competencies of Middle Managers in Occupational Therapy

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:48:37 +0100

This article describes the most essential roles, skills, and competencies needed by middle managers in occupational therapy organizations. Middle-level managers are responsible for a specific segment of the organization. They are uniquely positioned to foster changes in the department. Because of the challenges in the health care environment, it is important to discuss the roles that middle managers need to bring out the viability and growth of their departments and organization. These roles include planner, strategic planner, coordinator, leader, problem solver, and negotiator. To conduct these roles, skills and competencies that are closely linked to the effective performance of those roles are also described. Skills include human relations, marketing, and conceptual skills. Competencies...

Reducing Medical Errors Through Better Documentation

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:48:37 +0100

Preventable medical errors occur with alarming frequency in US hospitals. Questions to address include what is a medical error, what errors occur most often, and what solutions can health information technologies offer with better documentation. Preventable injuries caused by mismanagement of treatment happen in all areas of care. Some result from human fallibility and some from system failures. Most errors stem from a combination of the two. Examples of combination errors include wrong-site surgeries, scrambled laboratory results, medication mishaps, misidentification of patients, and equipment failures. Unavailable patient information and illegible handwriting lead to diagnosing and ordering errors. Recent technology offers viable solutions to many of these medical errors. Computer-based...

From the Editor

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)

The Improving Efficiency of Critical Access Hospitals

The Health Care Manager — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The study has policy implications as the federal government attempts to realign scarce health care resources to better meet local community needs. In addition, hospital executives, health care policymakers, taxpayers, and other stakeholders benefit from studies that improve the delivery of health care in rural America. (C)2009Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. (Source: The Health Care Manager)

Case in Health Care Management: In a Rut

The Health Care Manager — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

No abstract available (Source: The Health Care Manager)