Humanizing the downsizing process in hospitals and other health care organizations

Organizations, particularly health care organizations, undergo constant change. They are frequently engaged in crisis, particularly when they must downsize, reduce the workforce or even close a department or facility. This crisis affects all the individuals in the organization: those who are terminated, those who implement the termination, and the survivors. Understanding the stages of organizational crisis and the effects of termination should help administrators plan more effective and responsible ways to implement change and thus reduce negative consequences for organizational members.