Reference no: EM132233371

Case Study - Forsaken Memorial Health System

Please read the provided case. Complete the tasks asked for next week.

You've taken a position with a consulting company. You are trying to act like you are worth what the company pays you and maybe even what they bill the client for your work. Your firm's engagement is to develop an evaluation of Forsaken Memorial Health System (FMH), a hospital trying to become a healthcare system. FMH is one of two hospitals serving a community of 300,000 in the Midwest. FMH wants to remain independent, but its record to date on strategy, planning, cost control, and even quality is only mediocre. The partner at your consulting company asks you to develop a list of questions or topics the firm must review about the governing board and the CEO. He says:

Put down everything we ought to check using interviews, bylaws, and minutes, in a way that we can organize a final report. This includes membership, relation to community, and ability to handle issues. Don't forget the possibility that we may have to tell FMH to find a strong partner, but if we do that we'll need to have a convincing justification. I think we'll list what they need in the way of capabilities, show what they've got, and let them wrestle with the gap.

The 'needs' must be convincing-if they look too cookbook, the client won't believe them, and our rapport with them will be lost. The list I'm asking you to prepare isn't Mickey Mouse, so include a justification for the questions. You might want to summarize the questions on a one-page table. The justification should be four pages or less.

"Would it be smart to use the Well-Managed Health Care Organization as a guide?" you ask. "I guess so," he replies. "It's a well-regarded text, but remember this place is accredited. It meets the basics. No sense in asking, 'Do they appoint a CEO?' because it's obvious. Focus in on the critical questions, the ones that are likely to make a difference. Like, 'Is the executive staff prepared for the challenges ahead?' or 'Do they have a board and CEO evaluation system that keeps them competitive?'

"Also," he says, "textbooks aren't very dynamic. If this place is going to make it, it will have to have its share of support from the community movers and shakers, including the medical staff leadership. We might think about who the heavy hitters are in the community, what they are thinking about, and how well the FMH board is linked in to that thinking."

Case is © 2006 John R. Griffith and Kenneth R. White

Using the Case study above, answer the following questions below:

The case report must clearly identify the following elements:

The title should be brief but specific enough to identify the problem it reports.

1) ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The case report should include the following:

-Size of organization.

-Type of organization.

-Type of ownership and control.

-Number of years in operation.

-Type and size of city and surrounding area served.

-Number, size and type of other health facilities, services, programs, or agencies in the same area.

NOTE: Do not identify hospitals or organizations by name.

2) GIST OF THE PROBLEM

The case report should include a brief statement-one, two or three sentences will be satisfactory of the problem which confronted the student and which precipitated the administrative action to resolve it. Do not include details, decisions, or philosophical discussion in this summary statement.

3) DESCRIPTION: THE PROBLEM

A statement of pertinent facts about the problem, including such information-where applicable as the following:

-Background

-Evolving complexity of the situation.

-Persons or groups involved and their roles.

-Local or historical factors contributing to the situation

-Other appropriate data inherent in the case problem

4) ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

A concise statement of the conclusions reached and the action taken to resolve the problem. Explain the selected course of action in full. Alternatives to the solution also should be examined, with reasons delineated for not following them. Report all special obstacles encountered in arriving at a solution.

5) THE RESULTS

Document the results which followed the selected administrative action and decision. Indicate, where possible, the following:

-Length of time between attempted solution of a problem and an evaluation of its results.

-Length of time results of administrative decisions were observed.

-Comment where, in the opinion of the case reporter, the solution "withstood" the test of time."

6) References