Managing in Today's Health Care Organizations Change and Culture Case Study I

Essay by cheriym12A, January 2010

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IntroductionOrganizational structure and culture are two major factors that directly impact the success of an organization. This paper addresses the most pressing theme concerning the leading of organizational change: adaptability. Whether dealing with individual departments or selecting an appropriate leadership style to communicate a change, it is important to know your audience and be aware of what works best for them. Research supports the notion that there is no one specific method or style that works all the time. Rather, the leader of an organization must understand and identify with employees and tailor his or her approach accordingly.

Patient DesignRecent research into healthcare architecture has emphasized the design of patient areas in hospitals. There is a minimum of three staff members to every one patient in a hospital organization, and patient well-being depends to a large extent on the capability and efficiency of staff. Patients are in the hospital for a limited period, whereas hospital staff has to deal with an unending, continuous cycle of patient care.

The hospital is, in the end, a business entity that needs to use its most valuable resource-its staff-in the most efficient and productive way possible. In the current climate, with shortages of skilled clinical staff and high patient expectations, this becomes even more critical. The success of the merger between Women's College Hospital and Pottstown Hospital and the respect permeating the organization indicate that these two hospitals' structures and cultures are compatible. Although they may not always agree on how best to approach every situation, there exists a direct link between functionality and form which helps to resolve any conflict between the two environments: the hospital as a patient care area, and the hospital as a workplace for its clinical staff. I have identified four key ideas that should be understood and explored...