Based on your reading of the article below, create a 4- to 5-page report in Microsoft Word document that covers the following questions:
• Why is the hospital considering this additional service?
• Does the hospital and community really need this service? Why or why not?
• What should be the most important characteristics of a hospital in which one would want to have an open-heart surgery?
• Is it financially viable for a hospital to offer this service? What costs and revenues would you predict to know the viability? Would any revenues cover the costs of offering this service?
In addition to the above, state any three instances that could go wrong if this service is offered.
Support your responses with examples.
Cite any sources in APA format.
"The Case for Open Heart Surgery at Cabarrus."
It was a clear, crisp October morning in Concord, North Carolina. The board of trustees of Cabarrus Memorial Hospital gathered in the windowless, walnut paneled boardroom for its monthly meeting (see Exhibit 19/1 for board members). Board chairman George Batte opened the meeting saying, "Because we do not have an open heart surgery program, patients needing open heart surgery or coronary angioplasty have to be transferred to another hospital, causing inconvenience to the patient's families and risks from delayed treatment. There are several questions we have to answer in addressing this issue. Should we add open heart surgery to the mix of cardiac services we offer? Does the hospital's existing service area provide adequate patient volumes to support the program?
Whatrole should the Duke University Medical Center play in the proposed program? Willwe be able to obtain the required certificate of need [CON] from the State of North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services? Will there be opposition to the CON from surrounding hospitals? What costs are likely to be incurred in the required renovation, construction, medical equipment, and staffing?"
Exhibit 19/1: CMH Board of Trustees
Mr. George A. Batte, Jr., Chairman (Retired Manufacturing Executive)
Mr. L. D. Coltrane, III, Vice Chairman (Telephone Company President)
Mr. Robert L. Wall (President, Cabarrus Memorial Hospital)
Mr. Dan Gray, Secretary (Executive Director, Charitable Foundation)
Mr. DurwoodBost, CPA (Retired Manufacturing Executive)
Mr. S. W. Colerider, Jr. (Retired Manufacturing Executive)
Mr. Gene Verble (Merchant and Retired Major League Baseball Player)
Mrs. Margaret C. West (Civic Leader)
He continued, "As you all know, one of the factors pressing a quick decision is the desire of Dr. R. S. "Chris" Christy to return to the staff of the hospital after completing his fellowship in cardiovascular surgery. He is being heavily recruited by other medical centers."
Mr. Batte then asked Bob Wall, president of Cabarrus Memorial Hospital (CMH), to address the board on the issue. Mr. Wall said, "As we all know, our cardiac catheterization service is run by a Duke Medical Center physician. Our intent has been for the surgical portion of the heart program to be provided by Duke. Dr. Christy is completing a heart surgery residency through the Sanger Clinic and wants to return to Concord to practice.
Needless to say, we face a dilemma and there are very different points of view in our medical staff as to the structure and relationship involved in developing a full-fledged heart program at CMH. I bring this to your attention now because Dr. Christy has to make a career choice before January 1st."
Trustee Batte reminded everyone, "Dr. Christy grew up in our community and worked part-time in the hospital while in high school and college. After medical school and a residency in general surgery, he practiced here at CMH prior to leaving to complete his fellowship in cardiovascular surgery. Dr. Christy was very popular among the staff and patients and I, for one, very much want to see him return." (See Exhibit 19/2 for Dr. Christy's biography.)
The board had to make its decision about the future of the cardiac program at CMH before offering Dr. Christy a position; however, it was clear that Dr. Christy could not wait too much longer to be offered a position by CMH. He had received multiple offers but, if he delayed, the offers might be withdrawn.
This case was written by Fred H. Campbell, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Darise D. Caldwell, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Medical Center. It is intended as a basis for classroom discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Used with permission from Fred Campbell.