Typically, when hospital systems merge, their aim is to improve quality of care and decrease cost to patients. Studies have shown though that hospital mergers either do not effect patient outcomes or the quality-of-care decreases. In some cases, these mergers occur when the smaller system is in financial distress and needs aid from a larger system. The effects on mergers can also be felt my staff. "Mergers and acquisitions can often lead to workflow disruptions and organizational changes that increase workloads and burden for staff" (RevCycleIntelligence, paragraph 10, 2022).One research study showed that when mergers occurred, wages were 4% lower for skilled workers and 6.8% lower for nurses and pharmacy techs. (RevCycleIntelligence, 2022)

A few years ago, Sentara and Conehealth had discussed and planned a merger. This author had never heard of Sentara Health System and did not realize the significance of the possible merger until all "the talk" started among Cone employees. When there is lack of open communication, assumptions fill in the gaps and that is not always a good thing. There was a lot of talk, assumptions, and nervous feelings concerning the merger.Staff didn't know if there would be layoffs, salary deductions, and increased health costs for the local community. The staff received reassuring emails that this merger was a good thing but specific questions concerning these concerns were never addressed. "About three times the size of Cone Health with assets of roughly $8.5 billion and almost 30,000 employees, Sentara would have been the dominant partner and the Cone Health network would have morphed into a regional division if the larger system with proportional representation on the combined enterprise's governing board" (Cone, Sentara cancel merger, paragraph 6, 2022). The merger was canceled for mutual reasons, but it makes you wonder what that outcome would have been.

Provide a discussion board reply