Last Updated on 09/22/2023 by Admin
Research a health care organization or network that spans several states with in the United States (United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Health, etc.).
Research a health care organization or network that spans several states with in the United States (United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Health, etc.). Assess the readiness of the health care organization or network you chose in regard to meeting the health care needs of citizens in the next decade.
Prepare a 1,000-1,250 word paper that presents your assessment and proposes a strategic plan to ensure readiness. Include the following:
1.    Describe the health care organization or network.
2.    Describe the organization\’s overall readiness based on your findings.
3.    Prepare a strategic plan to address issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.
4.    Identify any current or potential issues within the organizational culture and discuss how these issues may affect aspects of the strategic plan.
5.    Propose a theory or model that could be used to support implementation of the strategic plan for this organization. Explain why this theory or model is best.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
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Expert Answer and Explanation
Health Organization Evaluation
The performance of the health care sector is dependent on multiple factors. These factors can be evaluated to ensure that there are seamless operations and all aspects of care are conducted without discrepancies. The complexity of operations within the healthcare sector increases with an increase in the size and magnitude of the facility (Grube et al., 2018).
An organization that spans a wide location or has multiple outlets in different regions might have challenges that should be addressed on time. In this regard, these types of organizations have to demonstrate increase readiness and preparedness when attending to patients of different issues to ensure the proper attainment of organizational goals. Preparedness is an important aspect of any organization and it can be an essential attribute to aid with strategic planning and addressing new events.
The United Health Group
One of the healthcare organizations that span multiple states is the United Health Group. The headquarters of the organization is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota from where the main operations are supervised and executed. The organization has been listed in the Fortune 100 as one of the leading healthcare institutions in the US (Enos, 2020). The organization is focused on improving the overall value of health care consumers through the creation of measures to reduce the cost of healthcare.
Similarly, the company is also addressing the need to improving the quality of care provided to the patients by advocating for health and wellness. The advocacy is essential towards the streamlining of healthcare services and ensuring all the health care experiences for the customer are met with high satisfaction.
On average, the United Health Group provides comprehensive services to more than 26.4 million Americans both in healthcare delivery and other medical plans. Besides offering medical services, the United Health Group acts as a medical insurance entity offering affordable pans to the patients. These plans are categorized into different segments including national employers mid-sized employers, public sector employers, individuals, and businesses (Jelalian et al., 2020).
These plans are crucial for the patient as they can be used to cushion the burden that would have otherwise been felt from the out-of-pocket payments. Other services offered by the organization are the Medicare and retirement plans offered to the elderly individuals within the community. the program serves approximately 12.5 million senior citizens and other individuals that are eligible for the Medicare and retirement program (Enos, 2020). The other service that the facility provides is the community and state where services are offed contingent to the state in which the facility is located. These programs are directed to the community members who can benefit from the services provided by the organization.
Readiness of the United Health Group
Based on these findings, the United Health Group has been able to implement multiple readiness plans that have proven to be effective (Li et al., 2020). Over the years the United Health Group has put in place measures to ensure that there is convenience for patients when seeking medical care of the financing for acquired medication. The current movement is the shift from treatment and healing to the use of health promotion and prevention which is likely to help reduce cost and improve the quality of life (Grube et al., 2018).
In compliance with the new model of care, the United Health Group partnered with the YMCA to create the JOIN for ME movement. the movement seeks to sensitize overweight and obesity among children and advocate for healthy body weight and the need to watch one’s diet (Jelalian et al., 2020). According to the program, the children were taught the best practices to engage in in order to reduce the chances of becoming overweight. Some of the key issues addressed include the reduction of time spent watching TV and engaging in physical activities such as walking and playing outside with other children for muscle activity.
Another preparedness activity that the organization facilitated is the UnitedHealthcare Hearing which helps the patients to have affordable medical care within the plans it provides. The United Health Group doubles as both a health care facility as well as an insurance company to manage and administer patient finances and insurance covers (UnitedHealth Group, 2019).
The company came up with a system called My Healthcare Cost Estimator which provides the clients with a number of comparative expenses analyses obtained from different health care providers. The information helps the patient to choose the facility to use based on their finances and quality of care (UnitedHealth Group, 2019).
Strategic Plan for the Organization
Network Growth
The organization is present in more than 50 states and is expected to increase. With the current number of people being served to reach close to 65 million, the company can use segmentation of services to help address the growing network (UnitedHealth Group, 2019). Offering segmented control of the different branches and an overall oversight from the main organization is crucial and would be beneficial to the company.
Nurse Staffing
The vastness of the organization demands a high number of nurse practitioners to help address the high number of patients. In order to meet the demand, the facility can have affiliation with a nursing institution to offer nurse trainees of graduate nurses to join the organization as they train to become employees at the facility (UnitedHealth Group, 2019).
Resource Management
For proper organizational management, the facility is divided into categories that perform individual roles. The segmentation of the departments makes it easy to operate different departments independently and then converge the final outcome for analysis. (Cox & Semanskee, 2016). This method is essential as it helps the company manage the complex structure and wide scale.
Patient Satisfaction
To ensure patient satisfaction, the organization can guarantee the availability of resources and personnel. These elements are significant during the provision of care and can help in administering patient-centered care.
Potential Issue
The current issue affecting the organization is COVID-19 leading to a sudden influx of patients within the organization (Kuy et al., 2020). While others are in need of medical care, some are in need of financing the care from their insurance plans. The nature of the disease has strained the resources of the facilities and reduced the nurse-patient ratio. However, the proper implementation of the strategic plan would be essential in reducing the impact of the pandemic and increasing the effectiveness of the facility.
Theory or Model for Implementation
The organization can make use of evidence-based care model to implement the strategic plan (King, 2020). The model facilitates an environment conducive to understand the best approach to deal with a contagious disease and devise a mechanism that will best mitigate the impact of the disease both on the patients and on the facility. By understanding the overall preparedness and addressing the strategic plan, the facility is able to address the issues that might occur such as the pandemic.
Conclusion
Preparedness is an important aspect of any organization and it can be an essential attribute to aid with strategic planning and addressing new events. The United Health Group has over the years proved to be dedicated to the delivery of care and the operations of other healthcare issues that are in line with the consumer needs.
References
Cox, C., & Semanskee, A. (2016). Analysis of UnitedHealth Group’s Premium and Participation in ACA Marketplaces. Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Enos, G. (2020). Legal setback doesn’t deter patient from parity fighting UnitedHealth Group. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 32(3), 1-7.
Gruber, D., Berman, I., & Wilson, A. B. (2018). Making the US a Telehealth Ready Nation. Telehealth and Medicine Today.
Jelalian, E., Evans, E. W., Rancourt, D., Ranzenhofer, L., Taylor, N., Hart, C., … & Foster, G. D. (2020). JOIN for ME: Testing a Scalable Weight Control Intervention for Adolescents. Childhood Obesity, 16(3), 192-203.
King, J. S. (2020). Covid-19 and the need for health care reform. New England Journal of Medicine.
Kuy, S., Gupta, R., Correa, R., Tsai, R., & Vohra, S. (2020). Best practices for a Covid-19 preparedness plan for health systems. NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, 1(2).
Li, J. P. O., Shantha, J., Wong, T. Y., Wong, E. Y., Mehta, J., Lin, H., … & Ting, D. S. (2020). Preparedness among ophthalmologists: during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Ophthalmology, 127(5), 569-572.
UnitedHealth Group. (2019). Launch of UnitedHealthcare Hearing Offers People Improved Access to Affordable, Quality Hearing Health Care. Retrieved 19 May 2020, from https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/2019/2019-06-27-uhc-hearing-offers-launch.html
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FAQs
Banner health organization
Banner Health is a non-profit healthcare organization based in the United States, with its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. It was founded in 1999 and operates 30 hospitals, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, and specialty hospitals, as well as numerous clinics and health centers across six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Banner Health provides a range of medical services, including primary and specialty care, emergency services, surgery, imaging, rehabilitation, and behavioral health. They also offer a variety of programs and services to support wellness, disease prevention, and community health.
In addition to providing healthcare services, Banner Health is also committed to medical research and education. They operate the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, which conducts research and clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and they have partnerships with several universities to support medical education and training programs.
United healthcare organization
UnitedHealth Group is a health insurance and healthcare services company based in the United States, with its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the largest healthcare company in the world in terms of revenue, with operations in the United States and around the globe.
UnitedHealth Group operates two main businesses: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health insurance to individuals and groups; and Optum, which offers healthcare services and technology solutions to healthcare providers and insurers.
UnitedHealthcare offers a range of health insurance products, including individual and group plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid plans. They also provide dental, vision, and other ancillary coverage options.
Optum provides a range of healthcare services, including care delivery, pharmacy care services, healthcare financial services, healthcare data and analytics, and healthcare technology solutions. Optum also operates several subsidiary companies, including OptumRx, which provides pharmacy benefit management services, and Optum360, which offers revenue cycle management services to healthcare providers.
In addition to its insurance and healthcare services businesses, UnitedHealth Group is also committed to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. The company has several initiatives focused on improving community health, supporting military veterans and their families, and advancing healthcare research and education.
HCA Healthcare
HCA Healthcare is a for-profit healthcare services company based in the United States, with its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1968 and is one of the largest healthcare providers in the country, operating 186 hospitals and approximately 2,000 outpatient facilities in 21 states and the United Kingdom.
HCA Healthcare provides a range of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, imaging, laboratory services, and behavioral health. They also offer a variety of specialty services, such as oncology, cardiology, and neurology, as well as programs focused on women’s health, pediatrics, and senior health.
In addition to providing healthcare services, HCA Healthcare is also committed to medical research and education. They operate the HCA Healthcare Research Institute, which conducts clinical research and publishes findings in medical journals. They also offer several medical residency and fellowship programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
HCA Healthcare has a reputation for being an early adopter of technology in healthcare, and they have developed several innovative programs and initiatives focused on improving patient care and outcomes. These include the HCA Healthcare Scholars Program, which supports students pursuing careers in healthcare, and the Clinical Services Group, which provides expertise and resources to hospitals and healthcare providers to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety.
Goal-based strategic planning model
The goal-based strategic planning model is a process used by organizations to develop a strategy that helps them achieve their long-term goals. The model typically involves the following steps:
- Define the organization’s mission and values: This step involves defining the organization’s purpose, values, and principles that guide decision-making.
- Conduct a situational analysis: This step involves analyzing the organization’s internal and external environment, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Set goals and objectives: This step involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives that align with the organization’s mission and values.
- Develop strategies: This step involves developing strategies to achieve the goals and objectives set in step 3. These strategies should take into account the organization’s resources, capabilities, and external environment.
- Implement the plan: This step involves putting the strategies into action by allocating resources, assigning responsibilities, and setting timelines.
- Monitor and evaluate progress: This step involves regularly monitoring and evaluating progress towards achieving the goals and objectives set in step 3. This allows the organization to adjust its strategies and tactics as needed.
The goal-based strategic planning model is a flexible and adaptable process that can be used by organizations of all sizes and types. It provides a structured approach to developing a strategy that aligns with the organization’s mission and values, and helps to ensure that resources are used effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes.
Banner health future plans
As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, Banner Health had several future plans aimed at improving patient care, expanding services, and advancing medical research. Some of these plans include:
- Expanding telehealth services: Banner Health had plans to expand their telehealth services, allowing patients to receive care from their homes or other remote locations. This would include telemedicine consultations, remote monitoring, and other digital health services.
- Investing in precision medicine: Banner Health was working on developing precision medicine programs that use genomic testing and other advanced technologies to personalize treatments for patients.
- Building new facilities: Banner Health was planning to build new hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities in various locations to expand their services and reach more patients.
- Advancing medical research: Banner Health had plans to continue investing in medical research, including clinical trials and studies aimed at developing new treatments and improving patient outcomes.
- Enhancing community health: Banner Health was committed to improving the health of the communities they serve by investing in education, outreach, and other programs aimed at preventing disease and promoting wellness.
It’s worth noting that these plans may have evolved or changed since September 2021, as organizations like Banner Health are constantly adapting to changing healthcare needs and market conditions.
Strategic Planning Models: Unveiling the Path to Success
In the dynamic landscape of business, where competition is fierce and trends are ever-evolving, the significance of strategic planning cannot be understated. A well-crafted strategic plan serves as a roadmap, guiding organizations towards their goals, facilitating decision-making, and providing a clear direction to achieve sustainable success. At [Your Company Name], we understand the paramount importance of strategic planning models and their role in shaping the future of businesses. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of strategic planning models, uncovering their benefits, types, and implementation strategies.
Understanding Strategic Planning Models
Strategic planning models are structured frameworks that enable businesses to formulate and execute effective strategies. These models provide a systematic approach to assess the current state of the organization, identify objectives, define strategies, and allocate resources. At the core of these models lies the aspiration to align internal capabilities with external opportunities, creating a harmonious synergy that propels the organization towards its envisioned future.
The Benefits of Strategic Planning Models
Embracing a well-defined strategic planning model bestows numerous advantages upon an organization. These benefits extend beyond the boardroom, affecting every facet of the business:
1. Clear Direction and Focus
A strategic planning model acts as a guiding star, illuminating the path an organization should tread. By defining precise objectives and strategies, businesses can ensure that their efforts are streamlined towards a common goal, minimizing distractions and fostering a collective sense of purpose.
2. Informed Decision-Making
In the ever-shifting landscape of business, decisions carry significant weight. Strategic planning models equip decision-makers with a holistic view of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis). This informed perspective enhances the quality of decision-making, leading to outcomes grounded in strategic foresight.
3. Resource Optimization
Resources are finite, and their optimal allocation is a challenge faced by all organizations. Strategic planning models facilitate resource allocation by identifying key areas of focus, thereby preventing wastage and ensuring that resources are channeled to endeavors that align with the overarching strategy.
4. Adaptive Agility
Change is inevitable, and organizations must be agile enough to navigate it. Strategic planning models embrace flexibility by encouraging periodic reviews and adjustments. This adaptability enables businesses to pivot their strategies in response to market shifts, technological advancements, and unforeseen challenges.
Diverse Types of Strategic Planning Models
Strategic planning models come in various shapes and sizes, catering to the unique needs of different businesses. Here are a few notable types:
1. The Basic Strategic Planning Model
This foundational model encompasses the fundamental steps of strategic planning: analysis, formulation, implementation, and monitoring. It serves as an excellent starting point for organizations new to strategic planning, providing a structured approach to crafting their roadmap to success.
2. Goal-Oriented Model
Focusing on goals, this model emphasizes the establishment of clear and quantifiable objectives. It encourages organizations to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and align their strategies accordingly.
3. Scenario Planning Model
In an unpredictable business environment, the scenario planning model shines. It involves creating multiple hypothetical scenarios and devising strategies to address each one. This approach equips organizations with the readiness to tackle a range of potential futures.
4. Alignment Model
The alignment model places immense importance on ensuring that every facet of the organization is aligned with the overarching strategy. From individual employee tasks to departmental objectives, alignment is key to achieving the desired outcomes.
Implementing a Strategic Planning Model: Step by Step
Implementing a strategic planning model demands a structured approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to successfully integrating this process into your organization:
1. Environmental Analysis
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the internal and external environment. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to gain a clear understanding of your organization’s position.
2. Vision and Mission
Craft a compelling vision and mission statement that encapsulates your organization’s purpose and aspirations. These statements will serve as guiding lights throughout the strategic planning journey.
3. Goal Setting
Set SMART goals that align with your vision and mission. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, providing a clear framework for progress.
4. Strategy Formulation
Devise strategies that outline how you will achieve your goals. Consider various approaches, weighing their pros and cons, and select the most suitable strategies.
5. Resource Allocation
Allocate resources judiciously to support your chosen strategies. This includes human resources, finances, technology, and more.
6. Implementation and Monitoring
Put your strategies into action and closely monitor their progress. Regularly assess whether you’re on track to achieve your goals and make adjustments as needed.
7. Evaluation and Adaptation
At predefined intervals, evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies and their impact on your goals. Be prepared to adapt and refine your strategies based on your findings.
Conclusion
Strategic planning models are the cornerstone of successful businesses, offering a structured approach to achieving goals, adapting to change, and optimizing resource utilization. By embracing these models, organizations can navigate the complexities of the business landscape with clarity and purpose. At [Your Company Name], we’re dedicated to assisting businesses in their strategic endeavors, helping them forge a path towards sustainable success.
How Do You Use the Strategic Alignment Model?
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the concept of the Strategic Alignment Model has gained significant prominence. Businesses across industries are constantly striving to achieve harmony between their organizational strategy, business processes, IT infrastructure, and human resources. This comprehensive approach, when executed correctly, can lead to enhanced efficiency, improved performance, and a sustainable competitive advantage. In this article, we delve deep into the intricacies of the Strategic Alignment Model and explore how it can be effectively employed to drive success.
Understanding the Strategic Alignment Model
The Strategic Alignment Model serves as a robust framework that aids businesses in aligning their business strategies with their IT capabilities. At its core, the model recognizes that for an organization to thrive, its business objectives must seamlessly integrate with its technological resources. This alignment ensures that every facet of the organization is working in harmony to achieve a common goal.
The Key Components of the Strategic Alignment Model
1. Business Strategy
At the heart of the Strategic Alignment Model lies the business strategy. This encompasses an organization’s long-term goals, competitive positioning, target markets, and value proposition. A clear and well-defined business strategy serves as the guiding light, steering all decisions and actions in the same direction.
2. Information Technology Strategy
Parallelly, the IT strategy outlines how an organization plans to leverage technology to support and enable its business strategy. This involves decisions related to technology investments, infrastructure, software applications, data management, and cybersecurity. A robust IT strategy ensures that technology acts as an enabler rather than a constraint.
3. Organizational Infrastructure
The organizational infrastructure refers to the structure, processes, and culture within an organization. It’s imperative that these elements are aligned with the business and IT strategies. This alignment guarantees that the right people are in the right roles, processes are efficient, and communication flows seamlessly across the organization.
4. Human Resources
People are the driving force behind any organization. The human resources aspect of the model focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining talent that complements the business and IT strategies. When employees are aligned with the organization’s goals, they become more engaged and contribute effectively to its success.
Implementing the Strategic Alignment Model
The successful implementation of the Strategic Alignment Model requires a meticulous and collaborative approach. Here’s how you can put it into practice:
1. Assessment
Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your current business and IT strategies. Identify any gaps or inconsistencies that might hinder alignment. This assessment provides a clear starting point for making informed decisions.
2. Clear Communication
Effective communication is paramount when it comes to alignment. Ensure that your business and IT teams are on the same page regarding goals, objectives, and expectations. Regular communication channels foster understanding and unity.
3. Collaboration
Alignment cannot be achieved in silos. Encourage collaboration between different departments and teams. Cross-functional collaboration brings diverse perspectives to the table, leading to well-rounded decisions.
4. Technology Enablement
Invest in technology that aligns with your business goals. Whether it’s implementing an advanced analytics solution or upgrading your IT infrastructure, technology should empower your organization to achieve its strategic objectives.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation
The business landscape is dynamic, and strategies need to evolve accordingly. Regularly monitor your alignment initiatives and be prepared to adapt to changes. Flexibility ensures that your organization stays on the path to success.
The Benefits of Strategic Alignment
The strategic alignment of business and IT offers a plethora of benefits:
- Enhanced Efficiency: When all components of the organization are working cohesively, efficiency improves. Resources are utilized optimally, and wastage is minimized.
- Improved Decision-Making: Aligned organizations make decisions that are in line with their long-term goals. This leads to more focused and informed decision-making processes.
- Increased Competitiveness: Organizations that effectively align their strategies are better positioned to respond to market changes and competitive pressures.
- Innovation: Alignment creates an environment that fosters innovation. When everyone understands the bigger picture, they are more likely to come up with innovative ideas.
- Employee Satisfaction: Employees feel more engaged and satisfied when they understand how their work contributes to the organization’s success.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving business world, the Strategic Alignment Model stands as a beacon of strategic coherence and operational excellence. By harmonizing business strategy, IT capabilities, organizational infrastructure, and human resources, organizations can achieve a level of synergy that propels them toward success. Embracing this model requires dedication, collaboration, and a commitment to adaptability. Those who master the art of strategic alignment are poised to not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
