Structure and Function, by Timothy S. Hall, M.D.

What are the critical functions for a department of surgery? What type of departmental structure can assure both quality and cost effectiveness? What are the obligations of the department leadership to the hospital board and trustees? Just as form follows function, departmental structure and management makes all the difference. Based on the experience of managing surgical systems for over a decade, a manual was created which outlines the critical functions for a department of surgery. Service line structures for peri-operative services and for emergency surgery and consultation are uncommon and yet they represent critical areas for surgical system management. How many departments of surgery have directors of surgical utilization, community services and the internal audit  and yet these directors serve critical functions that dramatically limit costs, improve revenue and improve quality of patient care. The manual contains a template of how to structure a surgical department, the departmental roles,  personnel job descriptions and staffing guidelines. The manual includes a multitude of examples of policies, protocols and forms that support departmental management. There is a specific focus on the requirements of CMS and the Joint Commission and a chapter on change management.