Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Flattening the organization: implementing self-directed work groups.

G M Brandon1

  • 1Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MD, USA.

Radiology Management
|February 7, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

The Diagnostic Imagination in Radiology: Part 2.

Radiology management·2019
Same journal

Enhancing Patient Safety Using Medical Imaging Informatics.

Radiology management·2019
Same journal

Leading and Motivating Generation Y Employees.

Radiology management·2019
Same journal

Accounting Basics Part 4: Net Present Value.

Radiology management·2019
Same journal

Employee Incentives in Healthcare: An Eight Year Comparison.

Radiology management·2019
Same journal

Current Employment Practices and Future Preferences for Multicredentialed Technologists in Nebraska.

Radiology management·2019
See all related articles

Implementing self-directed work groups in a hospital radiology department reduced costs and improved services. This restructuring led to a flattened organization and positive staff adjustment without layoffs, enhancing job security.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Management
  • Organizational Restructuring
  • Radiology Department Operations

Background:

  • Managed care growth and financial instability threatened healthcare organizations.
  • The Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) faced challenges to financial stability and job security.
  • Healthcare restructuring became necessary to adapt to market changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To restructure the radiology department at GBMC to reduce costs per service unit.
  • To improve service quality and determine optimal staffing levels.
  • To decrease organizational hierarchy through the implementation of self-directed work groups.

Main Methods:

  • Intensive staff education on healthcare trends and market changes.
  • Staff reduction through attrition, focusing on individual impact on financial performance.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Implementation of a matrix system with "service teams" forming larger "work groups".

    • Main Results:

    • Organizational flattening achieved, with reduced layers of management.
    • Staff successfully adapted to new roles and responsibilities.
    • No layoffs occurred, and the matrix system proved effective.

    Conclusions:

    • Self-directed work groups are an effective strategy for hospital departments facing financial pressures.
    • Successful implementation requires intensive staff education and buy-in.
    • Restructuring can lead to improved efficiency and job security in healthcare settings.