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Impact of Change

HCS/370

October 23, 2017

Steve Kovak

Impact of Change

Organizational change is a way of identifying or estimating what needs to be modified or

changed within a company to make things run smoother than before. It is about the process,
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procedures, technologies, and the culture that surrounds the business. Team E has been informed

that there has been a change in the way patient information will be stored, communicated,

processed, and transferred. The program created is called the Electronic Health Records (EHR),

and this system was created to replace the paper chart system that contains the medical history of

a patient, and create a better view of a patient’s care and needs. Team E is responsible for

determining the impact of this change and its effect on the company, and what strategies are used

to make it successful.

Why the Change was Implemented

With so many changes in today’s world of new technology, system upgrades were needed

in the health care industry sharing patient information. The use of Electronic Health Records was

created, and for a few reasons. In the beginning hospital information provided on files and

sharing the information to other health care providers and facilities was not secure. There was

also HIPPA violations because almost anyone could get a patient personal information and

medical records but since the switch, a patient’s medical files and personal are now linked to

them electronically; which it makes it harder for others to get ahold of their records. The change

created;

 Improved patient care – Quick access to patient information, legible and complete
documentation
 Improved care coordination – High quality care, better communications for appointments
and follow-up care
 Increase patient participation – Patients more active in their health, Patients can access
their own information
 Improved diagnostic and patient outcomes – Readily available reports, patients diagnosed
sooner (Health IT, 2017)

The Impact Internal Influences Have on Culture and Organizational Behavior

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There are many internal and external influences affecting organizational behavior and

culture. The culture of an organization is said to be the belief in values, morals, mission and

vision. Internal factors play a huge role and implement a high impact in influencing the culture

of an organization. According to University of Phoenix Week Five Weekly Overview (2017)

internal influences in culture are identified as:

 Strategy: Organizations can respond to environments based on different strategies that

may foster change.

 Finances: Financial stability or lack thereof may have an impact on the policies and

spending habits of an organization.

 Organizational life cycles: Where an organization is on the organizational life cycle

(birth, growth, maturity, decline, and death) will have an impact on the behavior of the

organization.

 Leadership: Leadership styles and preferences, especially those as the senior level, can

drive change.

The Impact External Influences Have on Culture and Organizational Behavior

There are so many external and internal influences that will have an impact on culture

and organizational behavior. The top external influence would be the consumer. Since the

organization is transitioning to electronic health records, you should advise your consumers

about the change. When an organization is going to have change the best thing for them to do is

communicate. The way an interacts with consumers and others within the public can have a
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massive impact on your company’s image. When you alienate your external audience, that is

risking your organization to losing income. Make sure to use tactful communication strategies to

promote an impression that is positive. The consumers expect to be treated with courtesy by you

and your employees, so make sure to use a professional voice when you are communicating with

them.

The Impact Change in Culture has on an Individual and Teams

In healthcare there are always adjustments to be made. Many of the heath records use to

be stored away in file cabinets in alphabetical order. It used to be locked up with a key and you

would have to look through it to find a person’s file. In health care, electronics is very helpful for

the patient and the employees. Patients can access their health record online now and have it

secured. Teams in the health field benefit from electronic health records by accessing the patient

information to understand and know about the patient. Communication in teams is very

important and the EHR make it easier for the employees to communicate. EHR’s are closely

watched and on a secured database. When the patient goes into the doctor’s office, they will sign

papers for their privacy of who can view their information or not. The patient’s put their trust

into the medical staff and it is their responsibility to have the knowledge about the patient and

the patients’ history.

Suggested Strategies Used for Leading Change in Organizations

Those whom work in the health care field will experience constant change within the

organization he or she works for. Ricards (2017), "Change is important for any organization

because, without change, businesses would likely lose their competitive edge and fail to meet the

needs of what most hope to be a growing base of loyal customers.” In effort to maintain the
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ability to continuously assist the organization in evolving strategies that can lead change needs to

be implemented. Those strategies are lead with culture because culture is critical to the success

of change management. Start at the top in effort to be successful begin with a committed and

well aligned group of executives that are strongly supported by the CEO. Involve every layer by

considering the extent to which midlevel and frontline individuals may make or break a change

initiative. Make the rational and emotional case together because reaching people emotionally

helps to ensure commitment. Act your way into thinking by following the new implemented

behaviors. Engage by conveying what the change will be. Lead outside the lines by involving

individuals of authority and influence. Leverage formal solutions by way of rendering support

through structure, reward systems, ways of operating, training, and development (Aguirre, 2014).

Leverage informal solutions works best with formal solutions due to the established culture

having the ability to undermine implemented change; assess and adapt by measuring the success

before moving forward.

In conclusion the impact of change should be handled and controlled by good leaders and

management to secure business success. If change is not implanted there are risks of outcomes

the will not be met such as losing productivity, and complete project failures. Change is needed

within an organization for it to survive competitively as a business, or for it to grow, so when

change is incorporated into the everyday culture and lifestyle of the business, it becomes part of

the everyday operation at every level of the organization.

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References

Aguirre, D., Alpern, N. (2014). 10 Principles of Leading Change Management. Retrieved from

https://www.strategy-business.com/article/00255?gko=9d35b
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Doucette, C. (2017). Internal & External Factors That Affect an Organization. Chron. Retrieved

from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/internal-external-factors-affect-organization-

16641.html

Health IT (2017). Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Retrieved from

https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/benefits-electronic-health-records-ehrs

Ricards, L. (2017). Why is Change Important in an Organization? Retrieved from

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/change-important-organization-728.html

University of Phoenix. (2017). Weekly Overview. Retrieved from University of Phoenix,

HCS/370 - Organizational Behavior website.