Case Study 3

This case study focuses on a situation that is faced by most healthcare facilities in the United States. The problem involves growing needs versus shrinking financial budgets to meet required outlay of equipment, technology, staffing, and physical facilities. To meet the needs of the growing population of North Reno County, Langley Mason Health (LMH) must make some tough financial decisions in regards to patient safety strategies that effect immediate and long term obligations. LMH has a strategic plan and has set forth ten goals for implementation. Once the goals are implemented, the community and patients will have safe, efficient care and the health system will be in line with other facilities that are technologically proficient. LMH has a multi-phase approach to complete the process and implementation of the plan. To date, the only phase completed is the first, and there is indecision and uncertainty among the LMH management staff about subsequent phases. Staff opposes purchasing equipment for short term safety goals such as smart IV pumps versus purchase of technological systems that include suites such as computerized order entry (CPOE), robots, and smart IV pumps, bar coding, computerized medication delivery, and electronic patient education. While some management decision makers desire to study the strategic problem before dedicating the funds for any equipment or phase, the chief information officer Dr. Moore does not want to get bogged down in a lengthy process of meetings and research that may take years to resolve (Wager, et al, 2009). In this case the issues involve how to be a good steward of the healthcare system funds while being the best advocate for patient safety. The population of North Reno County is growing at a rate that requires the level 2 hospital to increase beds from 317 to 453 to meet the needs of the community. Other