As the healthcare industry changes, there’s always the possibility your facility will merge with another. Maintaining a hospital or health system is expensive, and pooling resources can help counteract some of the costs. However, those mergers may cause more than just administrative headaches – they might actually impact patient care.
Because consolidations often bring about changes in patient populations and facility infrastructure, safety risks may increase.
if there aren’t many providers or nurses who speak Spanish, your hospital might have a crisis on its hands.Consider adjusting staffing and department capacities to account for areas that may see more patients.
No matter the benefits of expansion, patient care and safety must be prioritized both during and after the transition.
Preparation for the future
Prepare hospital employees for any possible changes, especially when they relate to direct interactions with patients. You can host training sessions on a variety of issues that may arise, including dealing with diversity.
If you’re not doing so already, meet with executives from the facilities or systems you’ll be merging with and discuss your respective values when it comes to hiring, managing and patient care. This’ll clear the air and ensure there’s no confusion about your commitments to safety and managing risk.
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