Managing healthcare professionals

 

Case 1

 As the administrator at Jonestown Medical Center, I understand that physicians should engage in professional activities and professional self-regulation in order to maintain medical profession integrity, maintain patients' safety and minimize professional risk.  Given that   Dr. Smith who works in the emergency room is intoxicated, there are chances of functional impairment or he may be unable to work due to his condition. I would take early interventions and appropriate actions to minimize the patients' injury and physician's criminal charges and loss of medical license (Buchbinder, 2012). First, I would do thorough investigation including alcohol test to obtain all evidence that the physician is intoxicated.  If the results turn positive, I would advise him to review the Standards of Practice and admit whether he has violates the rules or not.  Next, I would take a disciplinary action that is; warning with stipulations.

 

 

 Case 2

            As the CEO, I would apologize for the failure of pain medication. Second, I would discuss the matter with the physician who prescribed the pain medication to understand why the drug is not working. If the physician is guilty because he prescribed the wrong medication, I would give him or her a warning (Buchbinder, 2012). If the prescribed drug is not working, I would pay much attention to the patients by advising her to receive inpatient care in order to monitor her condition.

 

Case 3

 

 In this case, it seems like the internists become defensive and angry because she is aware of the mistakes.  In addressing the case, I would first inform her of the effects of upcoding to the hospital.  The inaccurate billing code inflates the reimbursement causing higher hospital bills. This is an illegal practice that violates the False Claim Act (Buchbinder, 2012).  After reviewing the pattern of upcoding, I expect the internist to accept the mistake and start using the correct billing codes.  As a manager, I would impose fines since the act is unethical and illegal.

 

Case 4

As the assistant director, I would assess his clinical competencies and expertise to ensure that the physician looking for a job has 8 years of post-high school education and has attended the National Residency Matching Program.   Since the ElSalvador medical school burned down, I would find his credentials and certifications and other details from a computer database (Buchbinder, 2012).  Second, I will allow the physician to take a board certification examination to test his medical knowledge, skills to add areas of specialization.

 

Case 5

            Since the  hospital has a shortage of respiratory therapists, as a new administrator,  I would  collect information from the human resource manager  regarding the   hospital recruitment methods,   meet the board of directors to  discuss the issue and  propose the best action,  review the performance and reward of the workers and review  how the physicians are motivated (Buchbinder, 2012). This information will help discuss how to reduce turnover, improve performance and quality services to the patients, increase patient satisfaction and prevent malpractice.

 

Case 6

 

As the administrator, I would call Dr. White and discuss with him the reasons as to why he offered a higher dose. We would also discuss the patient's history to ensure the safety of the patients.  If the doctor confirms that the dosage is correct and no harm to the patient, then I would solve the conflict through negotiation where the parties involved would come to a mutually acceptable agreement (Buchbinder, 2012).  If the doctor admits his mistakes of prescribing a higher dose, I would advise the doctor to prescribe the right dose.

 

 

 

Reference

 

Buchbinder, S. B. (2012). Introduction to health care management. Burlington, Mass: Jones et Bartlett

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