This is a discussion post.

Let’s put our management hats on! Choose one of the four scenarios below and compose your thoughts on how you would handle the situation as the manager of the health information services department. In your post, be sure to identify which scenario you are responding to.

After reading the AHIMA article, “Tackling Tough Management Issues: Advice From the Top”, discuss if you agree or disagree with the experts on two of the scenarios. Defend your reasoning. Be sure to explain what scenarios you are referring to in your post.

1. I recently started a job as the manager of an HIM department. I’ve learned that the current assistant manager had also applied for the job and is very unhappy about not getting the position. She has been undermining my authority in the department and often goes behind my back to do things her way. How can I resolve this problem?
2. Sarah, one of my best medical coders, came across the medical record of a woman she knew from college and learned that this woman had presented to the ER due to complications from cosmetic surgery. Sarah told her roommate about this woman, and her roommate then told several other people. The woman who had been to the ER called the hospital to complain and threatened a lawsuit. When confronted, Sarah admitted to the breach of confidentiality. She hasn’t made any other mistakes, though, and I really depend on her. How should I handle this situation?
3. The stack of loose filing grows by several inches in my HIM department each day. I can’t hire any more staff to get this under control. What should I do?
4. Jeff has been working at our facility for 25 years. He is a talented coder and a model employee. In the past few months, however, I have noticed that Jeff’s work is not being completed at the same pace as it used to be and that it is occasionally incomplete. He is often late for work and is missing in meetings quite frequently, often without realizing it. I think Jeff’s symptoms are the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but I am afraid to bring it up to him. How should I handle this?

When you respond to another student, think of ways to encourage them in their comments. What other ideas come to mind that both of you could consider?