BUS FPX 3026 Assessment 6 Identifying Forces Causing Change and Skills for Managing Change

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Capella University

BUS-FPX3026 Foundations and Future of Health Care Delivery Management

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Introduction

According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) (2019), by 2017, 86% of physician offices and 80% of hospitals had implemented electronic health records (EHR). This significant transformation in the healthcare sector has continued to influence financial and operational aspects of healthcare management, both in inpatient and outpatient settings. As change remains inevitable in healthcare, organizations that are able to manage change efficiently will not only stay relevant but will also succeed. The purpose of this paper is to explore a major healthcare system change, focusing on the forces driving change, discussing insights important to the change process, reviewing key insights from H. James Dallas, and explaining John Kotter’s leadership skills for managing change.

Major Health Care System Change and Change Forces

In 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) backed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) under President Obama’s administration (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2017). This act introduced the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which promoted “Meaningful Use” of electronic health records (EHR) to be shared across healthcare facilities (CDC, 2017). While electronic medical records (EMR) have existed since the 1960s, their widespread adoption by hospitals and physician offices took time. EHRs are digital records of a patient’s health information, encompassing the complete medical history and facilitating the exchange of information between healthcare providers (Financesonline.com). EHR systems are more secure and efficient than the paper-based systems previously used.

As a healthcare administrator in a hospital setting, it is vital to understand the importance of EHRs and possess leadership skills to manage this change. The driving forces behind the implementation of EHRs include political, economic, and technological factors. The ARRA Act aimed to create a national health information system, generate jobs in the Health Information Technology sector, and enhance the quality of clinical care (ONC, 2019). Technological advancements positioned EHRs as the “future of healthcare,” allowing physicians to have complete patient information at their fingertips, improving efficiency (Financesonline.com). Nevertheless, EHR implementation is also an example of disruptive innovation, which can challenge existing processes. Resistance to change in my organization was rooted in employees’ comfort with the old system and fear of the unknown, making it essential for leadership to address these concerns.

Information and Insights Important to the Change Process

Successful change management requires leaders to focus on three key processes: learning, motivation, and collaboration (Healey, 2018). These processes are essential in ensuring the effective rollout of a system like EHR. Planning, transparency, and communication are crucial during change. Employees need to understand why the change is happening, as well as how and when it will occur. Adequate notification, clear communication, and sufficient training are critical to ensuring success. Leadership must allow staff time to train and familiarize themselves with the system in a test environment, which helps build confidence and ensures smoother implementation.

Table: Change Management and Leadership Skills

Change Forces	H. James Dallas Insights	Kotter’s Leadership Skills
Political, Economic, Technological Forces	Leaders must build trust and form relationships with employees	Create a sense of urgency: Motivates employees to prioritize change
ARRA Act, Technological Advancements	Effective change starts with senior leadership involvement	Remove barriers: Ensure employees have the time and resources needed
Disruptive Innovation: EHR Implementation	Leaders must engage with front-line employees for success	Sustain acceleration: Maintain momentum to achieve goals

Important H. James Dallas Insights

H. James Dallas (2015) emphasizes the importance of organizational culture in effective change management, starting with senior leadership. Dallas argues that for successful change implementation, such as EHR software, leaders must form meaningful relationships with front-line staff. The time invested by leaders in engaging with employees directly involved in patient care will significantly impact the success of the change. Leaders who are visible and actively involved in the change process will inspire trust and buy-in from employees, ultimately increasing the chances of successful implementation.

Kotter’s Leadership Skills

John Kotter’s 8-Step Model of Change provides valuable insights into the leadership skills necessary for transformational change, such as EHR implementation (Kotter International, n.d.). Among the eight steps, three stand out in the context of EHR implementation: creating a sense of urgency, enabling action by removing barriers, and sustaining acceleration. Creating urgency helps employees understand the priority of the project, while removing barriers, such as eliminating non-critical activities, allows staff time to focus on training. Finally, sustaining acceleration ensures continued progress toward the final goal, which is critical in maintaining momentum and motivation throughout the transition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, healthcare administrators must recognize that the success of any organizational change depends on both patients and employees. Leaders must develop comprehensive plans and strategies for managing change, while ensuring that staff are engaged and motivated. By understanding the constant nature of change in healthcare and possessing the skills to manage it, leaders can navigate change effectively. Although change can be challenging, it is the leader’s responsibility to manage the process in a way that minimizes the difficulties for all involved.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017, January 18). Introduction. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/ehrmeaningfuluse/introduction.html

Dallas, H. J. (2015). Mastering the challenges of leading change: Inspire the people and succeed where others fail. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.library.capella.edu

Financesonline.com. (n.d.). What is the difference between EHR and EMR? Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https://financesonline.com/difference-ehr-emr/

Healey, B. J., (2018). Principles of Healthcare Leadership. [Capella]. Retrieved from https://capella.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781567938951/

Kotter International. (n.d.). 8-step process of change. Retrieved from https://www.kotterinternational.com/8-steps-process-for-leading-change/