Human Resources Flashcards
Human Resources in Healthcare: Managing for Success, Fifth Edition
What is the focus of ability and aptitude tests?
Reliability and validity of
What is the relationship between absenteeism and employee engagement?
Reduced absenteeism leads to increased employee engagement
What are academic medical centers often involved in?
Hospital–physician arrangements
What is a key mission of academic physicians?
Revenue-based compensation
What are the nursing workload measures related to?
Accreditation
What is the significance of the Affordable Care Act in healthcare?
Competency-based pay systems and wellness visits
What is the Age Discrimination in Employment Act designed to prevent?
Discrimination based on age
What is the role of advanced practice registered nurses?
Credentialing and privileging
What is the concept of autonomy in healthcare?
Patient autonomy and pay-for-performance plans
What is the definition of allied health professionals?
Healthcare providers with specific education and training
What are the major categories of allied health professions?
Types include diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services
What is an important aspect of benefits administration?
Audits
What is a significant challenge related to burnout among healthcare workers?
Job dissatisfaction and stress
What is the impact of bullying in the workplace?
Negative effects on organizational culture and employee morale
What is the definition of attrition in the healthcare workforce?
Supply inflows and outflows
What are behavioral anchored rating scales used for?
Performance evaluations
What is the significance of the term ‘Black swan events’?
Unpredictable events with major impacts
What do benchmarking and benchmarks help determine in healthcare?
Staffing requirements and employee retention
What is the purpose of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program?
To improve organizational performance
What are the consequences of the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Prohibition against discrimination and requirement for reasonable accommodations
What is the role of algorithms in healthcare?
Addressing underrepresented groups
What is the concept of ‘administrative creep’?
Increasing administrative tasks in healthcare
What are the implications of the term ‘at-will employment’?
Employment can be terminated without cause
What type of insurance is aggregate stop-loss insurance?
Insurance that protects against high claims
What is the primary goal of accountable care organizations?
Improving healthcare quality and reducing costs
What is the effect of acknowledgment on employee retention?
Positive impact on retention rates
What is the significance of background checks in preventing workplace bullying?
Helps identify potential bullies
What are the educational requirements for advanced practice registered nurses?
Master’s degree or higher
What is the term for the emotional work of nursing?
Burnout and its contributing factors
What is the impact of stress on healthcare workers?
Can lead to anxiety and burnout
What is the concept of ‘behavioral observation scale’?
A method for assessing specific job-related behaviors
What is the definition of ‘bias’ in performance evaluations?
Subjective influences affecting assessment outcomes
What are the implications of the term ‘boredom’ in specialization?
Can lead to disengagement from work
What are the types of health and welfare benefits?
Health insurance, retirement plans, leave benefits
What is the role of the American Medical Association?
Advocates for physicians and healthcare policies
What is the significance of the term ‘big data’ in healthcare?
Utilization of large datasets to improve outcomes
What is the purpose of the National Labor Relations Board?
Regulating labor relations and collective bargaining
What is the impact of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare access?
Increased access to healthcare services
What is the role of behavioral health organizations?
Provide mental health and substance abuse services
What is the significance of the term ‘workplace violence’?
Incidents of violence occurring in the workplace
What are the core competencies for advanced practice registered nurses?
Clinical expertise, leadership, and teamwork
What is the significance of the term ‘autonomous work groups’?
Teams with self-management and decision-making authority
What is the primary focus of the American Nurses Credentialing Center?
Nursing excellence and quality care
What is the role of the American College of Healthcare Executives?
Advancing healthcare leadership and management
What is the definition of ‘accreditation’ in healthcare?
Formal recognition of standards met by healthcare organizations
What is the impact of emotional work on nursing?
Can lead to high levels of stress and burnout
What is the purpose of performance management in organizations?
Evaluating and improving employee performance
What is burnout?
A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress.
Burnout is characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.
What are key contributors to burnout?
- Job dissatisfaction
- Stress
- High workload
- Lack of support
- Organizational culture
These factors can exacerbate feelings of burnout among healthcare professionals.
What are the stages of burnout?
- Honeymoon phase
- Onset of stress
- Chronic stress
- Burnout
- Habitual burnout
Each stage represents a progression in the intensity and impact of burnout symptoms.
What is the impact of burnout on patient care?
Burnout can lead to decreased quality of care, increased medical errors, and poorer patient outcomes.
Healthcare professionals experiencing burnout may struggle to provide effective and compassionate care.
What are burnout risk factors?
- Administrative risk factors
- Organizational risk factors
- Professional risk factors
Identifying these risk factors can help in developing strategies to mitigate burnout.
True or False: A positive work environment can counteract burnout.
True.
Supportive leadership and a healthy workplace culture can significantly reduce burnout levels.
What is the purpose of calibration in healthcare?
To ensure consistency and accuracy in assessments and evaluations.
Calibration helps maintain standards across various healthcare practices.
What is the definition of comparable worth?
The concept that individuals should receive equal pay for work of equal value, regardless of gender or job title.
Implementing comparable worth legislation aims to reduce pay disparities.
What is the role of a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)?
Responsible for overseeing nursing staff and ensuring quality patient care within a healthcare facility.
The CNO plays a critical role in shaping nursing practices and policies.
Fill in the blank: The ____ Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
[Civil Rights Act of 1964].
This landmark legislation is crucial for promoting equality in the workplace.
What is the importance of continuous quality improvement (CQI) in healthcare?
CQI focuses on improving processes and outcomes by systematically evaluating and refining practices.
This approach helps healthcare organizations enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
What is the definition of cultural humility?
An approach that emphasizes self-reflection and lifelong learning in understanding cultural differences.
Cultural humility is essential for providing patient-centered care.
What are the elements in the process of credentialing?
- Verification of qualifications
- Assessment of competence
- Review of professional history
Credentialing ensures that healthcare providers meet established standards for practice.
What does the term ‘care coordination’ refer to?
The organization of patient care activities and sharing information among all participants concerned with a patient’s care.
Effective care coordination improves patient outcomes and enhances the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
What are the challenges associated with contract negotiations in healthcare?
- Diverse stakeholder interests
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial constraints
Navigating these challenges requires effective communication and negotiation skills.
What is the role of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)?
To oversee and administer the nation’s major healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
CMS plays a critical role in shaping healthcare policies and reimbursement structures.
What is the purpose of using checklists in healthcare?
To ensure consistency and thoroughness in processes, particularly in clinical settings.
Checklists can help reduce errors and improve patient safety.
What is the definition of care transition?
The process of moving a patient from one healthcare setting to another or from one level of care to another.
Effective care transitions are critical for preventing readmissions and ensuring continuity of care.
What is the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals?
The pandemic has led to increased stress, burnout, and demands on healthcare systems and professionals.
Healthcare workers have faced unprecedented challenges, impacting their mental health and job satisfaction.
What is customer satisfaction in the context of human resources management?
Effective human resources management and customer satisfaction are interconnected.
It emphasizes the importance of HR practices in enhancing customer experiences.
What does the term ‘data’ refer to in evidence-based human resources management?
Data refers to information used for quality improvement efforts, recruitment, and job analysis processes.
It includes sources and collection methods.
What are defined benefit retirement plans?
Retirement plans that provide a predetermined payout upon retirement based on factors such as salary and years of service.
Commonly funded by employers.
What are defined contribution retirement plans?
Retirement plans where employers and employees contribute a specific amount, with benefits dependent on investment performance.
Examples include 401(k) plans.
What is ‘degree inflation’?
The phenomenon where higher educational qualifications are required for jobs that previously required less education.
This can lead to an oversupply of degree holders.
What is deliberative rationality?
A decision-making process that emphasizes logical reasoning and careful consideration of options.
It is often contrasted with intuitive decision-making.
What factors influence the demand for healthcare workers?
Factors include population demographics, economic conditions, and healthcare delivery models.
These factors can lead to staff shortages and turnover.
What is the purpose of the Davis-Bacon Act?
To establish prevailing wage rates for laborers and mechanics on federally funded construction projects.
It aims to ensure fair wages.
What is the significance of the Deming philosophy in healthcare?
Focuses on continuous improvement and quality management in healthcare systems.
W. Edwards Deming is a key figure in quality improvement.
What are direct turnover costs?
Costs directly associated with employee turnover, including hiring and training new employees.
These can significantly impact organizational finances.
What is the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?
To enforce federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
It provides guidelines and mediation services for disputes.
What is the ‘just cause’ standard in employee dismissal?
A legal standard requiring a fair and valid reason for terminating an employee.
It protects employees from arbitrary dismissal.
What does the term ‘equity’ refer to in human resources?
The concept of fairness in treatment and opportunity within the workplace.
It is essential for fostering a positive work environment.
What is the purpose of exit interviews?
To gather feedback from departing employees about their experiences and the organization.
This information can be used for organizational improvement.
What are employee assistance programs?
Programs designed to help employees deal with personal problems that might affect their work performance.
They often include counseling and support services.
What is the ‘digital blackface’ phenomenon?
The use of black cultural expressions by non-black individuals in a way that can be seen as appropriation.
It raises discussions on race and representation in media.
What is the purpose of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988?
To require federal contractors and grantees to maintain a drug-free workplace.
It includes provisions for drug testing and employee education.
What is the role of diversity in the workplace?
To enhance organizational performance through varied perspectives and experiences.
It contributes to innovation and better problem-solving.
What does the term ‘external equity’ refer to?
The fairness of an organization’s compensation practices compared to similar organizations in the market.
It helps attract and retain talent.
What is the significance of the Equity Theory?
A theory that suggests employees seek fairness in the workplace based on their contributions and rewards.
It influences motivation and job satisfaction.
What are the implications of disparate treatment in employment law?
It refers to intentional discrimination against individuals based on protected characteristics.
This can lead to legal consequences for employers.
What is the purpose of employee-generated incidents in healthcare?
To identify and address issues arising from employee behavior and interactions affecting patient care.
This helps improve organizational culture and practices.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Act requires equal pay for equal work.
Equal Pay Act
It aims to eliminate wage disparity based on gender.
What is the impact of organizational barriers to diversity?
They hinder the inclusion and participation of diverse groups within the workforce.
Addressing these barriers is crucial for effective diversity initiatives.
What is the goal of healthcare workforce planning?
To ensure an adequate supply of healthcare professionals to meet population needs.
Importance of strategic and proactive approach in a rapidly changing system.
What does the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act pertain to?
It promotes the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology.
This is crucial for improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.
What are the types of health insurance plans?
- Employer-sponsored plans
- High-deductible health plans
- Health maintenance organizations
- Health savings accounts
- Health reimbursement accounts
Each type has different coverage options and cost structures.
True or False: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures the privacy and security of health information.
True
HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient information.
What is the significance of the Joint Commission’s Elements of Performance regarding health status?
They provide standards to ensure quality care and improved patient outcomes.
These elements are critical for healthcare organizations to maintain accreditation.
What is a characteristic of high-performing organizations?
Evidence-based human resources practices.
These organizations often exhibit metrics that positively correlate with performance.
Define horizontal bullying.
Bullying that occurs among individuals at the same level within an organization.
This often manifests in workplace harassment among colleagues.
What is the role of health information management services?
To manage patient health information and ensure its accuracy and accessibility.
This includes various allied health professions and professional titles.
What are the implications of strategic human resources management?
It focuses on aligning human resources practices with the organization’s goals.
Successful implementation can lead to competitive advantages.
What is the definition of human capital?
The collective skills, knowledge, and experience of individuals within an organization.
Investment in human capital is essential for organizational success.
What is the significance of inclusion in the workplace?
It enhances organizational performance and promotes diversity.
Inclusion metrics help measure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
What is the purpose of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement?
To improve healthcare quality and patient safety.
They provide frameworks and resources for healthcare organizations.
What does ‘injuries and illnesses in the workplace’ refer to?
Health issues that affect healthcare workers, particularly during disasters.
Addressing these concerns is vital for workforce sustainability.
What is the impact of social media on recruitment?
It expands reach and improves engagement in the hiring process.
Platforms like LinkedIn are commonly used for recruitment.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Act provides provisions for intermittent leave.
Family and Medical Leave
This law allows eligible employees to take leave for family and medical reasons.
What are high-deductible health plans?
Insurance plans with lower premiums and higher deductibles.
These plans require individuals to pay more out of pocket before coverage starts.
What is the role of interdisciplinary teams in healthcare?
To provide comprehensive care through collaboration among various health professionals.
This approach enhances patient outcomes and care efficiency.
What are intrinsic rewards?
Internal satisfaction derived from performing a task.
They differ from extrinsic rewards, which are tangible benefits such as pay.
True or False: Horizontal integration refers to the merging of organizations at the same level.
True
This strategy is often used to increase market share.