Impact of leadership decisions relating to hospital closures in Southern California - Essay Example

                                                                                                                              __________________ I dedicate the research work to the true leaders who continuously seek innovative ways to effectively manage the hospitals in southern California. Without them, the healthcare services rendered to the public could gradually deteriorate overtime.

I deeply appreciate the support I receive from my family whose love and care are immeasurable. To my friends whose worth is more than material things can offer. These people have been with me before and during development stage of the research work. Their critics and advice has made this paper a success. I will be forever grateful to you guys. Started back in 1980s, the number of rural hospital closures has significantly influenced the limiting of the available healthcare services throughout the United States (U.S.) (Rosenbach & Dayhoff, 1995).

The large number of hospital closures required the public to travel more than 15 miles just to receive either the basic or emergency healthcare services. (Health Access California, 2006) Even though there were some hospitals available to serve the medical needs of the patients, the long queue and the waiting time which could last for more than 6 hours in emergency rooms was very alarming (Hospital Association of Southern California, 2006). Back in 1988, California had a total of 494 acute care hospitals with a capacity of 84,366 total licensed beds and 77,396 available beds (OSHPD, 2008).

Between the years 1988 until the late 2006, the total number of licensed acute care hospital beds in California declined from 84,366 down to 70,820 beds whereas the available number