Nursing Management: Can You Make A Merger Pay Off? Essay, Research Paper
Altimier, L.B., Sanders, J.M., (2000, April). Can you make a merger pay off? Nursing Management, 31(4)8.
This article discusses the merger of three hospitals and prenatal departments with
the results of this complex transition. This huge project comprised of five nurse led areas
proved to be cost-effective. By maintaining a single administrative structure, they
eliminated bureaucracy and cut costs with staffing changes.
No doubt time will test the success of this story. There are many given numbers
for a grand total cost savings given as the merger’s big reward. However, there are no
numbers revealing patient satisfaction or quality indicators to measure possible outcome
changes on care delivery. Hospitals have a challenging task ahead in balancing supply and
demand. Creativity will be illustrated many ways in the future as a constant pulse is
monitored on the bottom line.
Espo, D., (2000, May 15). Progress toward HMO legislation fitful. Dayton Daily
News,, p. 4A.
This article deals with the ongoing discussion and negotiation of politicians
addressing HMO legislation that extends new rights to all Americans with insurance.
Compromise on the legislation has been termed as fitful. This is due partly to the election
year gulf between Democrats and Republicans and partly to the internal differences among
lawmakers of the same party. Several weeks ago they were close to an accord on an
appeals process for patients who believe they are wrongly denied care, but there is no deal
as of yet.
At the heart of this matter is the American health care consumer. These citizens at
risk are paying taxes with the expectations that these men and women are therewith their
best interests at heart. These pending bills impact lives. Lives that are on-hold pending
care. Have they forgotten how much time can impact lives? Healthy differences can
sometimes create the best outcome. As time continues, this does not.
Pilot study to monitor quality of cancer care. (2000, May 17). Dayton Daily
News, p. 6A.
This article addresses a foundation grant of one million dollars for a project, which
will involve six hundred patients. Doctors at the annual scientific meeting of the American
Society for Clinical Oncology are examining the possibility of setting up a nationwide
system to monitor the quality of cancer care. The goal is to assure that cancer patients get
the best of care. This comes in response to a report last year from the Institute of
Medicine.
Thank you! Hope like a flower is watered to grow for good of all. One can only
be encouraged when groups of health care workers unite with a common interest to
improve the quality of life for these needy patients and families.
Perez, F.J., (2000, May 16). Balanced Budget Act hurting hospitals, patients.
Dayton Daily News, p. 4A.
This article is written by the president and chief executive officer of an Ohio
hospital. He addresses the financial challenges of hospitals to survive and to continue to
provide the care that patients deserve. A major culprit he names is the Balanced Budget
Act passed in 1997. Ohio hospitals have been projected to lose $4.4 billion in Medicare
payments through 2004. Often Medicare may comprise 50 percent or more of a given
hospital’s patient mix.
This act greatly influences the resources available for hospitals to utilize in their
attempts to deliver high quality care with the resources available. Transfers of patients
moving across the continuum in a smooth, timely manner in attempts for the right place at
the right time have been greatly complicated by this act. Hospitals and long term care
facilities struggle to find the right answer to this act that places many patients in the wrong
place for wrong reasons.
Vigan, S., Hofer, T.P., ET. ol. (2000). Cost-utility analysis of screening intervals
for diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. JAMA, 283 (7), 889.
This article discusses the conclusions of the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey. Michigan researchers challenge eye screening guidelines and claim
that annual eye exams are not necessary for everyone with type 2 diabetes. Instead, the
frequency of eye exams should be tailored to individual circumstances.
This would be just one example of a cost-savings act that makes sense and does
not negatively impact the patient. Hopefully, after the review and application of so many
clinical pathways, care maps, and other standards have been exhausted, the pendulum will
swing back appropriately to care