Organizational Structure and Functions, Term Paper Example

The concept of Golden Age Hospital fills an important need for the residents of Mission Viejo and the surrounding areas. This organization will be comprised of specific functions that are designed to support older adults in these communities. It is important to identify the resources that are required to meet the needs of local community members and to support a long-term approach to managing outcomes for patients in this area. The mission statement of the organization is to provide comprehensive care for older adults in Mission Viejo and the surrounding communities in order to address their health needs and to provide ongoing support to improve quality of life for these patients. This strategy encompasses an opportunity to examine the different constructs of the organization and the tools that are required to enable older adults to optimize their overall health and wellbeing. Similarly, the community clinic will provide a framework for establishing routine office visits and clinical care to treat health-related issues to promote greater health.

Based upon this diagram, a number of critical services for each location could be shared so that there is a sufficient use of resources across each location, rather than duplicating services unnecessarily. This process will also enable each location to work with a joint computer system that will be effective in accommodating the needs of each patient by accessing records from each location in a single system. It is expected that this approach will save time, money, and will refrain from the inefficient use of existing resources.

Older adults may require specific needs that require a higher level of complexity in medical services and in other areas; therefore, these needs must be addressed across a variety of areas in order to accomplish the desired treatment objectives (Ellis et.al, 2011). From this perspective, older adults require specialized clinical knowledge and expertise to meet their needs effectively (Ellis et.al, 2011). Due to the large population of older adults in the surrounding areas, it is feasible to have approximately 200-225 beds at the Golden Age facility in order to accommodate this population and their needs. It is expected that the hospital beds will be filled regularly due to the needs of this population and the comprehensive services that they require. The organization must be in a position to serve the large local population of older adults through a wide range of services.

The proposed services to be provided at Golden Age Hospital include the following: 1) Comprehensive primary care services to accommodate patients with a host of primary care needs, including diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses, along with a diabetes and foot clinic for this patient population; 2) Comprehensive cancer care, including chemotherapy and radiation services; 3) Comprehensive emergency services for patients requiring emergency care; 4) Comprehensive mental health services and Alzheimer care for patients requiring these services; 5) A comprehensive program to promote falls prevention for patients, both in the hospital environment and at home; 6) A comprehensive program to provide social support, home health, and rehabilitation services as necessary to meet patient care needs; and 7) Comprehensive cardiac care services for patients to address heart failure and other related needs (Forman et.al, 2011). With each of these services, there is a significant need to openly communicate with older adults, family members, and clinicians regarding the care and treatment that is required for patients, along with other factors that impact quality of life for these patients; therefore, a variety of services must be available to accommodate patients effectively and in a comprehensive manner (Matthison & Marcantonio, 2014).

Finally, the integration of physicians who specialize in treating older adults must be considered as a key priority for the organization, and this requires a strategy that addresses the economic needs of the organization and how this integration may include physicians from managed care organizations (Cuellar & Gertler, 2006). From a managerial perspective, this process requires a comprehensive understanding of Medicare and  Medicaid services and coverage, as well as private insurance, so that specialty physicians are able to provide services that will meet the needs of older adults so that the burden to patients with respect to out-of-pocket costs is minimized (Cuellar & Gertler, 2006). The selection of physicians must coincide with the cost principles and resources available to the organization and must also be in conjunction with the needs of the local population. This will ensure that the hospital is utilizing its resources wisely and is able to provide the desired level of service to older adults within the surrounding community.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Golden Age Hospital will offer an opportunity for the older adults of Mission Viejo and the surrounding areas to receive comprehensive healthcare services to meet their needs and to improve their quality of life. It is important for the organization and its leadership team to identify the most effective course of action to support the local patient population and to develop the organization effectively from the ground up. This requires a unique method that will engage local residents and provide them with the resources that are necessary to improve health and wellbeing, while also considering other factors that will positively impact patient care outcomes for these residents. The organization will fill a void that currently exists within the area and will support and engage local residents in recognizing their health concerns and obtaining the proper care and treatment for these services in a timely manner.

References

Cuellar, A. E., & Gertler, P. J. (2006). Strategic integration of hospitals and physicians. Journal of health economics, 25(1), 1-28.

Ellis, G., Whitehead, M. A., Robinson, D., O’Neill, D., & Langhorne, P. (2011). Comprehensive geriatric assessment for older adults admitted to hospital: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 343.

Forman, D. E., Rich, M. W., Alexander, K. P., Zieman, S., Maurer, M. S., Najjar, S. S., … & Wenger, N. K. (2011). Cardiac Care for Older AdultsTime for a New Paradigm. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(18), 1801-1810.

Matthison, M., & Marcantonio, E.R. (2014). Hospital Management of older adults. Retrieved from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hospital-management-of-older-adults