Case Study: Transformational Business Transfer and Radiology Center Redevelopment

During my tenure as a senior operations executive in the radiology sector, I led a complex and high-stakes project involving the transition of a radiology department in a 275-bed hospital from a public hospital setting to a private radiology provider. This case centered on a complete business transfer under § 613a BGB, encompassing the radiology personnel, alongside the full core renovation of the radiology infrastructure – all while ensuring uninterrupted patient care.

The project took place over more than six months in a rural area near the Dutch border. The endeavor required not only precise operational planning but also exceptional leadership in managing organizational change, modernizing IT systems, and overcoming entrenched resistance.

Immediate Actions Taken

Organizational Change & Business Transfer:

Managed legal and HR processes for the § 613a BGB transfer, ensuring transparent communication to ease staff concerns.
Restructured and integrated staff into the new private operator setup.
Delivered targeted training to prepare employees for the shift from public to private workflows.

Infrastructure & Operations:

Planned and executed phased radiology renovation while maintaining patient care.
Aligned contractor schedules with clinical operations.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Maintained open communication with hospital leaders, clinicians, and partners.
Proactively addressed resistance to change through empathy and clarity.

Data & IT Modernization:

Oversaw sorting and digitization of 20,000+ paper patient files, establishing a foundation for compliant, efficient data management.
Migrated from an outdated RIS/PACS to a modern system fully integrated with the hospital information system (HIS), boosting efficiency and data flow.

Outcome

Completed a successful migration to a new RIS/PACS system, fully integrated into the hospital’s information system, enabling modern radiology workflows and faster, more reliable diagnostics.
Achieved a timely business transfer, safeguarding employee rights and patient care continuity.
Executed a full core renovation of the radiology center without interrupting clinical services, significantly enhancing the technical and operational standards.
Built a highly motivated, trained, and integrated team, ready to deliver high-quality radiological services in the new setup.
Ensured full compliance with legal requirements, HR protocols, and data protection regulations.
Fostered a resilient project culture, enabling the team to adapt to unforeseen obstacles and maintain focus on shared goals.

Legal Strategy and Resolution

Collaborated closely with legal advisors and HR specialists to implement a smooth § 613a BGB transfer, ensuring all employment rights were honored and documented.
Established clear, contractual service agreements defining responsibilities between the hospital and the private radiology operator, eliminating ambiguity in operational and legal duties.

Key Takeaways

Comprehensive planning and clear communication are critical when transforming healthcare operations during ongoing patient care.
Navigating organizational resistance requires empathy, strong leadership, and continuous engagement with stakeholders at all levels.
Successful projects in healthcare transitions rely on balancing infrastructure upgrades, legal frameworks, IT modernization, and human factors.
Empowering team members to grow in challenging environments builds long-lasting organizational strength and loyalty.
Embracing complexity with a calm and structured approach leads to sustainable solutions and sets the stage for future successes.