HR Issues: Sexual Harassment, Workplace Diversity, Cultural Sensitivity, Privileging, Credentialing, Denying Privileges, Difficult Conversations

Ambulatory surgery centers, like hospitals and other healthcare organizations, are facing common issues such as the ongoing workforce shortages and the uncertainty regarding the future of the nation’s healthcare system. Healthcare leaders should understand the interplay of factors that influence the performance of individuals employed at the ambulatory surgery center. These factors include traditional human resources management activities such as recruitment, credentialing, development and evaluation. However, the environmental aspects such as work culture and multiculturalism are also important in sustaining effective staff relationships. Ambulatory surgery centers decrease the cost of outpatient surgery, offering care at a price that is lower than the rate that hospital outpatient departments receive for comparable services. To ensure high-quality care, staff competency must be ensured through appropriate credentialing procedures and ongoing staff education. ASCs must engage in difficult conversations regarding workplace culture, staff performance and sexual harassment to provide a rewarding work environment for the staff and ensure optimal patient outcomes. This chapter provides an overview of human resource management and a few common HR issues including sexual harassment, workplace diversity, cultural sensitivity and difficult conversations.