Unit IV Case Study
Instructions
For this assignment, consider that you are the health care manager at First Life Community Hospital. Over the past year, occupancy has been low because of competition from hospitals offering services that are more efficient and innovative in nature. How would you compete with this new competition? What impact would low occupancy have on staff and morale? If negatively, how would you address it?
After analysis of financial losses for the last year, it has been identified that numerous patients were transferred to other facilities due to lack of capabilities to deal with complex issues. How would you ensure that complex cases are kept inside of the HCO? How does keeping complex cases within the facility impact length of stay? What is the financial impact of reversing the current situation?
Answer the above questions in a two-page response. You must use at least your textbook as an outside resource. Additionally, include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. All sources used, including the textbook, must be cited and referenced according to APA guidelines.
Textbook:
Darche, L., & Koch, G. (2020). Basic allied health statistics and analysis (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a healthcare manager at First Life Community Hospital, I am faced with the challenge of competing with other hospitals offering more efficient and innovative services. This competition has resulted in low occupancy rates, which has potential negative impacts on staff morale. Additionally, financial losses due to patients being transferred to other facilities highlight the need to address complex medical needs within our facility. This response will address how to compete with new competition, address the impact of low occupancy rates on staff morale, and how to ensure complex cases are kept within our facility.
Answer to question 1:
To compete with new competition, First Life Community Hospital should focus on providing high-quality care and exceeding patient expectations. This can be achieved through a combination of improved patient experience, increased access to services, and developing a strong reputation within the community. First, the hospital should focus on improving the patient experience by offering amenities and services that exceed patient expectations. Additionally, increasing access to services through extended hours and telemedicine can help attract patients who may be looking for convenient options. Finally, developing a strong reputation through positive patient outcomes and community engagement can help establish trust and loyalty with patients.
Answer to question 2:
Low occupancy rates can negatively impact staff morale, as it can lead to job uncertainty and increased workload for remaining staff. To address this, First Life Community Hospital should focus on creating a positive work environment that values employee contributions and offers opportunities for growth and development. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication with staff and providing support during times of change can help alleviate concerns and maintain morale.
Answer to question 3:
To ensure complex cases are kept within the facility, First Life Community Hospital should invest in additional training and equipment to address complex medical needs. This can help establish the hospital as a leader in providing high-quality care for complex cases, which can attract patients and decrease the need for patients to be transferred to other facilities. Keeping complex cases within the facility can also impact length of stay, as patients may no longer need to be transferred or receive care at multiple facilities. The financial impact of reversing the current situation can be substantial, as it can lead to increased revenue through fewer patient transfers and increased reputation in the community.
