Tension Due to Changes at Sound Shore Medical Center

Introduction:

The healthcare system is a constantly changing field. Change is a part of life and a part of change is learning how to cope with the new environment. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and managers are continuously educating themselves, staying updated on current events, attending seminars, learning about new technology, pharmaceutical breakthroughs and broadening their knowledge in their area of work. In this field, healthcare professionals have to be wiling to adapt and accept change. For the patients, it is the responsibility of healthcare providers to make the environment as stable as possible to accommodate patients well-being, however, the staff should be willing to accept an unpredictable environment. Sound Shore Medical Center located in New Rochelle, NY is currently going through many changes. On May 29, 2013 Sound Shore Medical Center filed for bankruptcy and was acquired and bought by Montefiore Medical Center.

Problem:

Due to several changes occurring following the bankruptcy, the nurses as well as the rest of the staff at Sound Shore Medical Center have to now abide to the new changes brought in by Montefiore. After interviewing the nurse manager on the Medical Surgical floor, she informed me how the nurses are tense about the new change. In early weeks of August 2013, she stated how 1,200 employees were laid off for various reasons such as budget cuts needed room to bring in new employees once Montefiore beings.

Lewin’s Change Theory:

Kurt Lewin’s theory is a 3-step model that focuses mainly on change management tactics for managing change in the workplace. (Kaminski, 2011) The three stages that are incorporated in Lewin’s theory are the unfreezing stage, which is where finding a method is ...

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...change is always occurring they play an important role.

Conclusion:

In any organization change plays a vital part in an environment such as in hospitals. A drastic change in an environment has shown to create a difficult and upsetting process for people to adapt to. The change of management and ownership from Sound Shore Medical Center to Montefiore Medical Center has brought many changes to everyone involved such as the physicians, nurses and to the community. Lewin’s Theory has shown to help alleviate the problems that rose from the change within 3 steps. The process will take awhile for the staff to get adjusted to and the higher authority will have to take more of a responsibility to make sure to show great leadership and management to accommodate to the needs of the staff and patients they are serving while the transition is occurring.