In the spring of 2008, the Alberta government consolidated nine health regions and three provincial programmes to become the largest health authority in Canada. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) hired to lead this new organization was terminated with less than 2 years in the position. This document review explores the political and organizational issues that resulted in the termination of the CEO and illustrates that: (i) Physicians are able to leverage significant public support for their agendas; (ii) Effective change management must recognize and address front-line staff; and (iii) Research on the benefits of hospital consolidation is weak.
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11.
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) (2002). Bigger is always better when it comes to hospital mergers. Mythbusters (Online). Retrieved 10May2011, from http://www.chsrf.ca/Migrated/PDF/myth7_e.pdf
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CeresteM.DohertyN. F.TraversC. J. (2003). An investigation into the level and impact of merger activity amongst hospitals in the UKs national health service. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 17(1), 6–24. Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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CuellarA. E.GertlerP. J. (2003). Trends in hospital consolidation: The formation of local systems. Health Affairs, 24(1),77. Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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17.
Dr. Chris Eagle Appointed President, CEO, of Alberta Health Services. (2011, 14April). The Canadian Press (Online). Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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DranoveD.LindroothR. (2003). Hospital consolidation and costs: Another look at the evidence. Journal of Health Economics, 22(6), 983–997. Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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DuckettS. (2010). Second wave reform. Healthcare Management Forum, 23(4), 156–158.
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LipskyM. (2010). Street-level bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the individual in public services. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
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MacDougallH.PopeF.TarasoffM. M. (2010). Making Medicare: The history of health care in Canada, 1914–2007 (Online). Retrieved 5January2011, from http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/medicare/medic00e.shtml (the Canadian Museum of Civilization website).
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McClureM. (2011, 3February). Calgary-Edmonton rivalry stifling, says ex-health boss. Calgary Herald (Online), p. A14. Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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MutterR. L.RomanP. S.WongH. S. (2011). The effects of US hospital consolidations on hospital quality. International Journal of the Economics of Business (Online). Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
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SimonsP. (2010, 12January). Alberta Health Services going rogue: Growing problem for government. CanWest Digital Media (Online), p. B1. Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
32.
SinnemaJ. (2009, 21September). Duckett bullying nurses, union says; complaint filed over ‘mistruths’ by Alberta Health Services CEO. Edmonton Journal (Online). Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
33.
Three Members Resign from Alberta Health Services Board After CEO Sacked (2010, 25November). The Canadian Press (Online). Retrieved 10May2011, from library.ucalgary.ca (University of Calgary Library website).
