HCM FPX 5314 Assessment 1 Aligning Strategic Initiatives to Goals HCM-FPX5314 Driving Health Care Results Organization Overview
Bismarck Evangelical Hospital, founded in 1902 in Bismarck, North Dakota, underwent a major upgrade in 1916, becoming a modern 58-bed facility. As the surrounding environment changed, the hospital began to focus on serving the impoverished community and later rebranded itself as Sanford Medical Center Bismarck. This new identity was marked by the construction of a 217-bed facility. Sanford Health’s system now includes a Level II trauma center, seven primary care clinics, three urgent care centers, four specialty clinics, three long-term care facilities, three kidney dialysis centers, three occupational health clinics, a health home agency, and one independent living center. The organization serves a diverse, family-oriented community experiencing growth due to the oil fields in western North Dakota. Sanford Health Bismarck currently employs over 3,600 people, including 260 physicians and advanced practitioners. The organization’s vision is to enhance the human condition at every life stage through exceptional care, spiritual enrichment, innovation, and discovery. Sanford Health is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, with its growth reflected in its expanding patient and employee base.
Strategic Initiative Analysis
Access to Healthcare
Access to healthcare is defined as the “timely use of personal health services to achieve the best health outcomes.” Ensuring affordable healthcare access is crucial for both physical and mental health and is a cornerstone of a successful healthcare organization. Health insurance plays a significant role in healthcare access. Individuals without insurance are less likely to seek medical treatment due to cost barriers. Sanford Bismarck Medical Center has implemented strategies to enhance healthcare access within the community. The first strategy involves partnering with a company that secures Medicaid coverage for uninsured patients based on income, with additional options to alleviate financial burdens for those who do not qualify. Sanford Health Bismarck also offers financial assistance for medically necessary services to either cover the outstanding balance or significantly reduce the bill.
The second strategy includes establishing urgent care centers within the community, which provide more affordable care and prevent unnecessary emergency room visits. An urgent care visit costs approximately $170, compared to an average emergency room visit cost of $2,000 (Kantor, 2019). Sanford is expanding these centers into rural areas to increase the availability of quality care. The third strategy focuses on effective communication to minimize care breakdowns and build trust between patients and physicians. Achieving optimal health outcomes depends on the patient’s trust and effective communication with their healthcare provider (Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, 2019).
Quality Services
Sanford Health offers a comprehensive range of services, but there is room for improvement in quality. Four committees are tasked with enhancing the quality of patient services. The Physician Quality Committee develops and enforces policies and procedures while evaluating program and service quality. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee provides education to physicians and pharmacists to ensure the latest prescription information is up-to-date. The Health Plan Quality Improvement Committee reviews healthcare issues impacting patients and updates policies as necessary. The Credentialing Committee evaluates providers in the Sanford Health Plan network and addresses any quality deficiencies affecting patient welfare. These four committees are central to Sanford Health Bismarck’s quality services strategic initiative. Collaborative teamwork and effective communication within these committees aim to improve patient service quality and achieve the best outcomes (Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, 2019).
Cost-Effectiveness
As the largest rural healthcare system in the nation, Sanford Health has felt the impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts. Many rural hospitals depend on Medicare, which accounted for 46% of all gross revenue in 2016. Major reimbursement cuts can lead to higher prices and reduced revenue as hospitals are not compensated for the services provided. Changes in government regulations are unpredictable and challenging for hospitals to manage, complicating efforts to remain cost-effective (LaPointe, 2018). Sanford Health Bismarck charges less than the national average for inpatient and outpatient services while maintaining high-quality care. As part of the Commission on Cancer program, Sanford Health reports clinical data to measure performance. Out of ten performance measures, Sanford exceeds national standards in eight, demonstrating high-quality care. The shift towards value-based care is essential for providing affordable and effective care, focusing on p