Course Project SAHS Analysis Project Guidelines and Gradin

Course Project: SAHS Analysis Project Guidelines and Grading
Guide
Overview
The final project for this course is a group project in which the
group will analyze Shady Acre Health Systems (SAHS) in order
to: 1) determine the current issues
SAHS is facing, 2) devise plausible solutions to these issues,
and 3) recommend a course of action. Groups will construct a
PowerPoint presentation highlighting
the current issues along with the solutions. Groups will also
submit supporting documentation explaining, in detail, the
recommended course of action.
Objectives
To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to
apply what you have learned in this course and should include
several of the following course
objectives:
● Evaluate organizational strategies and approaches that
contribute to creating a culture of quality and safety through
leadership, priority setting, and a
commitment to systems thinking and organizational roles,
processes, and structure

● Construct effective organizational processes that will
transform the health service organization and enable it to meet
the needs of a diverse clientele
● Analyze the multifaceted relationships of the triangle of
health service delivery: quality, cost, and access
● Determine the various political and social forces that are
influencing the direction of health service delivery
Format
Milestone One: Analysis of Existing Issues
In 6-3 Course Project, you will submit your analysis paper. This
1–2-page analysis paper should explain, in detail, the existing
issues facing SAHS. This milestone is
not graded, but formative feedback will be provided.
Milestone Two: Submit Presentation
In 10-3 Course Project: Shady Acre Health Systems Analysis:
Submit Presentation, you will submit your final presentation,
highlighting the major issues and
possible solutions. It should be a complete, polished artifact
containing all of the main elements of the final product. It
should reflect the incorporation of
feedback gained throughout the course. The presentation will be
graded using the SAHS Presentation Rubric.

Milestone Three: Submit Documentation
In 10-4 Course Project: Shady Acre Health Systems Analysis:
Submit Documentation, you will submit your final version of
your documentation, including your
recommended course of action. It should be a complete,
polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final
product. It should reflect the
incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. The
documentation will be graded using the SAHS Documentation
Rubric.
http://snhu-
media.snhu.edu/files/course_repository/graduate/hrm/hrm630/hr
m630_sahs_overview.docx
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Supplemental Presentation Information
One may be called upon to conduct research and deliver
findings in professional settings. No matter how extensive the
research or accurate the conclusions, a
weak presentation can undermine an argument. A presentation is
a tool to assist in making an argument. When creating

presentations, students develop skills in
researching an issue, synthesizing the information, organizing
data logically, and presenting findings in an effective manner.
Principles of an Effective Presentation:
● You may utilize a product such as Microsoft’s PowerPoint or
Google Presentation to create your presentations.
● There are various template designs that you can find on the
web for your presentation. However, first consider your
presentation from the perspective
of your audience prior to selecting a specific style. Distracting
backgrounds, large blocks of text, all uppercase fonts, elaborate
font styles, grammatical
errors, and misspellings are distracting. Be consistent with the
style of text, bullets, and sub-points in order to support a
powerful presentation that
allows your content to be the focus.
● Each slide should include your key point(s). Do not place
large blocks of text on the visual. Your presentation is not a
means of presenting a short paper.
In an actual presentation you would not “read” from your slides
but rather use them as prompts.
● Any notes or narration you would use in delivering this
presentation to a group should be listed in the “notes” section of
the slide.
● References should be listed at the bottom of the slide in
slightly smaller text.
● Use clip art, AutoShapes, pictures, charts, tables, and
diagrams to enhance but not overwhelm your content.
● Be mindful of the intended audience and seek to assess the
presentation’s effectiveness by gauging audience
comprehension (when possible).

Here are some links that offer helpful tips and examples for
developing your presentations:
● Making PowerPoint Slides
● Beyond Bullet Points: The Better Way to Use PowerPoint
● Really Bad PowerPoint and How to Avoid it
http://www.iasted.org/conferences/formatting/Presentations-
Tips.ppt
https://web.archive.org/web/20170601122311/https:/www.beyon
dbulletpoints.com/resources/
https://web.archive.org/web/20170601122311/https:/www.beyon
dbulletpoints.com/resources/
http://www.wendelberger.com/downloads/ReallyBadPowerpoint.
pdf
http://www.wendelberger.com/downloads/ReallyBadPowerpoint.
pdf
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SAHS Presentation Rubric
Requirements of Submission: Presentation must include a
minimum of 10–12 slides. When applicable, discipline-
appropriate citations must be used.
Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement
Not Evident Value

Content:
Inquiry and Analysis
Includes almost all of the
main elements and
requirements; provides in-
depth analysis that
demonstrates complete
understanding of multiple
concepts
Includes most of the main
elements and requirements;
provides in-depth analysis that
understanding of some
concepts
Includes some of the main
elements and requirements;
provides in-depth analysis that
understanding of minimal
concepts
Does not include any of the
main elements and
requirements; does not provide
in-depth analysis
25
Organization

Slides are organized in a
logical way that
complements the central
theme; transitions are well-
paced to create a natural
and engaging flow
Slides are organized in a logical
way and transitions are paced
so that the material is easily
accessible
Slides are organized mostly in a
logical way and transitions are
paced so that the material can
be understood with focus and
effort
Slides are organized in a way
that is illogical OR transitions
are paced so that the material
cannot be understood
20
Critical Thinking Draws insightful conclusions
that are thoroughly
defended with evidence and
examples
Draws informed conclusions
that are justified with evidence
Draws logical conclusions, but

does not defend with evidence
Does not draw logical
conclusions
20
Visual Appeal
There is a consistent visual
theme that helps enhance
understanding of the ideas;
includes multiple types of
media
Original images are created
using proper size and
resolution that enhance the
content; includes more than
one type of media
Visually depict topic and assist
audience; images are proper
size and resolution
Graphics are unrelated to
content and cross over each
other. Distracting, busy, and
detract from presentation
15
Narration
(Research/Writing)

Mechanics and style ensure
clarity. Incorporates multiple
properly cited scholarly
resources
Mechanics and style promote
clarity. Incorporates some
properly cited scholarly
resources
Mechanics and style make
narration intelligible.
Incorporates very few properly
cited scholarly resources
Several mechanical errors OR
does not incorporate scholarly
resources
10
Teamwork
Demonstrates effective
interactions with team
members and makes
numerous quality
contributions to team
discussions and tasks
Demonstrates moderately
effective interactions with
team members and makes
some quality contributions to
team discussions and tasks

Demonstrates minimal
members and makes minimal
quality contributions to team
Does not demonstrate effective
members and does not make
quality contributions to team
10
Total:
Comments:
100%
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SAHS Documentation Rubric

Requirements of Submission: Written components of projects
must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: a
minimum of 1-2 pages, double
spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins,
and discipline-appropriate citations.
Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not
Evident Value
Main Elements Includes almost all of the
main elements and
requirements and cites
multiple examples to
illustrate each element
Includes most of the main
elements and requirements and
cites many examples to illustrate
each element
Includes some of the main
elements and requirements
Does not include any of the
main elements and
requirements
25
Inquiry and Analysis
Explores multiple issues
through extensive collection
and in-depth analysis of

evidence to make informed
conclusions
Explores some issues through
collection and in-depth analysis
of evidence to make informed
conclusions
Explores minimal issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence to make
informed conclusions
Does not explore issues
through collection and
analysis of evidence and does
not make informed
conclusions
20
Integration and
Application
All of the course concepts
are correctly applied
Most of the course concepts are
correctly applied
Some of the course concepts
are correctly applied
Does not correctly apply any
of the course concepts

10
Critical Thinking Demonstrates
comprehensive exploration
of issues and ideas before
accepting or forming an
opinion or conclusion
Demonstrates moderate
exploration of issues and ideas
before accepting or forming an
opinion or conclusion
Demonstrates minimal
exploration of issues and
ideas before accepting or
forming an opinion or
conclusion
Does not demonstrate
exploration of issues and
ideas before accepting or
forming an opinion or
conclusion
20
Research Incorporates many scholarly
resources effectively that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
Incorporates some scholarly
resources effectively that reflect
depth and breadth of research

Incorporates very few
scholarly resources that
research
Does not incorporate
scholarly resources that
research
15
Writing
(Mechanics/Citations)
No errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
Minor errors related to
organization, grammar and style,
and citations
Some errors related to
Major errors related to
10
Total
Comments:

100%
HRM 630: Topics in Health Administration
Course Project: Shady Acres Healthcare System (SAHS)
Overview
Overview
Shady Acres Healthcare System was initially established in the
early 1970s as a not-for-profit entity. Its humble beginnings
included two community clinics, a nursing home, and a mobile
immunization unit. Total employees numbered 107. Since then,
it has grown to have a respectable portfolio which boasts seven
community clinics, four skilled nursing facilities (one of which
is the largest in the state at 275 beds), two assisted living
facilities (both moderate size), a home health care unit, a 120-
bed hospice facility, a pharmacy distribution service, and a
large laboratory capable of enormous growth (currently running
at only 33% capacity). There are 742 total employees today.
Reputation in the community is excellent; however, there have
been some recent complaints about the downturn in quality in
the community clinics.
Newer health systems in the area have actively recruited some
of the staff and have offered them more money and better
benefits.
All licenses and accreditation are in good standing.
SAHS has not integrated EHR on the level of its competitors.
Recent employee surveys demonstrate a continued high level of
satisfaction.
Current Financial Situation
The community where SAHS operates is not unlike most areas
in the contiguous United States. The housing slump and levels
of unemployment have increased the numbers of individuals

without insurance. Also rising are the numbers of homes being
converted to apartments and duplexes. Current housing prices
are falling. The process of gentrification (revitalizing
communities with new dollars) has slowed significantly in the
last five years. In summary, the market has slumped, and trends
do not indicate any signs of rapid improvement.
As a result of the downturn, the community clinics have seen a
sharp rise in use. The current system of SAHS, which was
written in the initial bylaws, allows individuals seen at these
clinics to pay on a sliding fee scale. Unfortunately, as a result
of this policy, the system has been losing money ($75,000 per
month) operating these clinics. Until recently, all four of the
skilled nursing facilities have been operating at a profit. The
changing case mix has increased the number of individuals on
state assistance, and the rates paid recently dropped. The
flagship skilled nursing facility, at 275 beds, is still operating at
a profit; however, current trends have noted a decrease in net
operating income.
The two assisted living facilities continue at a small profit;
however, a lack of marketing efforts has made them the best
kept secret in the community. Both the home health care and the
hospice facility are showing signs of decreased
occupancy/census as a result of the lagging economy.
The pharmacy distribution service operates at a respectable 40%
net operating income (NOI) and continues profitability trends.
The laboratory operates on an as-needed basis only and as such
is break-even only.
In all, SAHS remains profitable; however, if current trends
continue, the system will be non-profitable in 18 months.
FEEDBACK TO BE FIXED
Great start. Here are the items to address and expand in your
FINAL PAPER based on your headings:
Electronic Health Record Integration
Discuss how you decided (you just don’t go out and get one)

which EHR system was BEST to purchase for Shady Acres
Healthcare System. There are many vendors to choose from.
Discuss your thought process and research.
Discuss implementing an EHR system. Discuss the
challenges/issues going from paper charts to electronic for the
organization. (e.g. issues: organizational change, employees,
training, cost, etc.). Discuss your plans to address EACH issue.
Declining Revenue
Address the following: Loss of $75K over 18 months? What
kind of internal budgetary controls can be built into the system
to stop this “bleeding”? Is there accountability? Accountability
needs to be maximized in order to ensure success. Discuss your
course of actions to correct this situation.
Comment: The assisted living, hospice and home health care
facilities are experiencing a decline in census due to the poor
economic conditions and unawareness?? Elaborate here. What
economic conditions and unawareness of what are you referring
to?? Why is this problematic (unawareness) and how does
economic conditions affect SAHS? Is this economic condition a
temporary situation? Yes, no??
They can also apply for different grants that would help fund
the clinics and community projects. What grants are you talking
about? Grant from whom? Elaborate for a clearer meaning and
understanding.
With the decline in state reimbursement, SAHS should lobby
with the state legislators in effort to see an increase in funding
for their skilled-nursing facilities. It is one thing to say – but
how do you know that lobbying with state legislators will see an
approval for funding or not? Do you have proof this is viable.
Discuss further by providing research to back-up your
assertion.

Discuss your marketing plan. Why is it important?
Discuss your marketing strategies (tactics) and course
ofaction for the assisted living, hospice, and home health.
Staffing Issues
Employee turnover and retention efforts. What strategies can
management develop/put in-place to reduce employee attrition
and improve retention? Discuss your course of actions for
employee attrition and to improve retention.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU POST YOUR
FINAL PAPER: The items mentioned above needs to be
placed in-boldso that it can easily and readily identified when I
read your final paper. If you have any questions, please let me
know. I look forward to reading your final paper
Shady Acres Healthcare systems (SAHS) is a not-for-
profit organization first and foremost. This particular
health organization has grown into a healthcare conglomerate
that boasts four skilled nursing facilities, one hospice care
facility, seven community care clinics, a pharmacy distribution
service, a home health care unit and a laboratory. Although the
company has experienced an overall excellent reputation from
its community, it has also recently seen a decrease as a business
and healthcare organization. This decrease in organizational
success is because of multiple, chronic issues in the quality of
care that the organization is providing. For the organization
to avoid progressively making their reputation worse, the
concerns of quality need to be observed, recognized and
addressed. This portion of the analysis will be focusing on the
observation of the current issues at hand that plague the
company.

Shady Acres Health Systems is somewhat directly at fault for its
current economic downturn as a healthcare organization due to
several self-inflicted organizational failures. One of the major,
self-inflicted errors made by the company is neglecting the
importance of implementing an electronic health records system
(EHR) throughout its facilities in this electronic day and age.
EHR’s are known to be the “standard” for medical facilities on
a national scale as of late (HealthIT.gov, 2018). This system is
recognized for its’, “…real-time, patient-centered records that
make information available instantly and securely to authorized
users” (HealthIT.gov, 2018). EHR’s are known for their
efficient access to patient and community data collection
(AthenaHealth.com, 2019). EHR’s also provide extensive
patient medical history recognition, and seamless
communication among affiliated medical facilities
(AthenaHealth.com, 2019). The electronic health
record system is used specifically to create, gather, and manage
health information regarding a patient. The information can be
managed and consulted by authorized providers and staff within
a healthcare organization. The health record can be transmitted
and shared with other healthcare organizations and providers.
No organizational EHR is the same. Each implementation is
different and relies on multiple factors that are integrated such
as budget, data needs, automated systems and other factors.
(Bowie, Ch.5, 2016)
The EHR will impact the organization in five essential ways:
the delivery of care, patient outcomes, public health outcomes,
increased workforce skills and on the go healthcare. Delivery
of care will be impacted positively from an increase in
workflow efficiencies while also demonstrating a decrease in
medical record error. This allows providers to spend more time
with patients ultimately resulting in an improved relationship.
The system that the CMO uses drives decision making because
CMO’s can see important health information in regard to
medication trends and patients whom are being treated for
specific conditions. This all correlates with the health

initiatives within the organization.
Health initiatives are then in response created to this
information because providers can help manage patient risks
and improve overall health initiatives. Prevention of outbreaks
is just one specific and very significant example. The EHR is
used by streamlining the provider’s workflow. The software has
the ability to support other providers with the sharing of health
information and other care related activities. The software is
able to do so through a variety of interfaces including evidence -
based decision support, quality management, and outcomes
reporting. Improving quality of care and limiting healthcare
mistakes and errors will in return aid the financial deficit for
SAHS (CMS, 2012). For an extensive organization such as
Shady Acres to limit itself by not having a uniform electronic
system, such as an EHR, demonstrates the organization’s
deficiency of communication and workflow efficiencies among
its many facilities.
Technology diffusion has been accompanied by issues of cost,
safety, benefit, and risk. Federal legislation has aimed at
addressing these concerns. In opinion, safety is the most
important area for focus. Patient safety is a serious topic and
health care industry concern among the United States. Hospital
errors have become the third leading cause of death in the
United States. Hospital facilities are a place where patients
should feel supported and confident in the care level and
satisfaction they receive. “Healthcare is composed of a
variation of complexities that open the doors to the potential for
human and systems errors. These errors can promote unsafe
environments for both the patient and the providers of service.
For this matter, there is an assortment of tools designed to
identify causes of error that can lead to harmful and sometimes
very dangerous situations. Identifying the causes behind these
errors is important and selecting the right tool to determine
causes is as important” (Connelly, 2012).
Often times identifying causes and implementation for
improvement does not take place. In regard to existence to the

problem, in response every year thousands of accidents and
faults occur. Overall 440,000 Americans will die annually from
possibly preventable hospital inaccuracies. (Duvall, 2013). The
following display of statistics presented by Becker’s Healthcare
is based upon hospital based acquired conditions, adverse
events and overall patient safety.
For every 1,000 hospital admissions Nationwide in 2010 there
were: 49 patients that experienced adverse drug events, 40
patients that developed pressure ulcers, 27 patients that
developed some other hospital-acquired condition, 12 patients
that developed catheter-associated urinary tract infections, 8
patients that fell while in the hospital, 3 patients that developed
surgical site infections, 3 patients that experienced obstetric
adverse events, 1.2 patients that contracted ventilator-associated
pneumonia, 0.5 patients that developed central line-associated
bloodstream infections and 0.5 patients that had a venous
thromboembolism. (Rizzo, 2014, para. 1)
For more insight as to what potential threats and error patients
actually receive,
The Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality editorial
team has provided documentation of the most common patient
safety issues that may arise. The potential threats in
regard to patient safety are discharge practices, medication
errors, diagnostic errors, facility safety, sepsis and infection
amongst others. (Barnet, Green & Punke, 2016, pg.1).
These statistics documented and reported show that there is
much room for growth and improvements within hospital
facilities. Problems have been addressed in the past by
organizations such as The Institute of Medicine reporting and
demanding for dramatic changes and improvements. It was over
ten years ago that the organization reported worrying statistics
regarding medical errors in the United States. The organization
called for a national effort to make dramatic improvements to
address the concerns and medical errors that were taking
place. In order to improve upon these inaccuracies, patient

safety needs to become a top priority for facilities and all staff
members involved. Doing so will not only initiate and pledge a
higher quality of care, but the risk of accidental and preventable
deaths can ultimately be avoided.
Poor economic conditions have resulted in reduced home
healthcare facilities in the healthcare center. Other factors have
also declined due to the decline in the overall net operating
profit. More so, there is a decline in the state assistance
reimbursement, yet there is an increase in funding for the
healthcare facility and its skilled nursing facility. The strategic
plan to preventive care to help reduce the repeated patient visits
that can help to cut down the cost
Employees retention, as the survey conducted to the employee
to see the customer satisfaction levels. The new implemented
system offers the employees with better pay and benefits that
help to retain them. SAHS offer compensation packages as well
as the implementation of the marketing adjustment. The
healthcare facilities consider offering more competitive
packages. Health care facilities should prevent losing skilled
employees.
Effective marketing is essential to any business. As a non-profit
hospice, Shady Acres has been providing excellent care but has
not been sharing the care that is provided. In an effort to expand
our brand, we need to expand our marketing. Marketing for
hospice is a unique market. It develops with partnerships.
“…many hospice organizations do not have a dedicated
marketing staff person, have a limited marketing budget, do not
fully utilize all strategic planning tools, and have yet to
differentiate themselves via branding. “ (Matthews, Peters &
Lawson, 2017). To change this for Shady Acres, we need to do
the opposite. We need to create one person in each area that is
responsible for marketing. I suggest we create a position called
a care rep whose role is to market the hospice to physician’s
offices, nursing homes and senior activity centers. We need to
ensure that we have a strong mission, vision and values that all
staff understand and support, so our brand is polished. We also

need to target minority areas as they are an untapped area in
hospice services that could increase our patient population.
(Wright & Raven, 2015).
The current state of SAHS is clearly one that suffers from
internal and external variables at the moment. Their lack of an
EHR system and proper marketing of their services have
negatively impacted their ability to increase workflow
efficiencies, quality of care and organizational profits.
Increased competition in a struggling economy has
unfortunately shifted potential profits and workers away from
SAHS as well as patients and medical professionals look for the
best opportunity within the current medical market. Although
the company has several issues hindering its financial
performance lately, these issues also present organizational
opportunities to grow, adapt and succeed in these trying,
competitive times. These opportunities will be discussed in
detail in the next group submission of SAHS company analysis.
References:
AthenaHealth.com. (2019, March 05). Advantages of Electronic
Health Records | Knowledge Hub. Retrieved April 20, 2019,
from https://www.athenahealth.com/knowledge-
hub/ehr/advantages
Barnet, S., Green, M., & Punke, H. (2016, January 12). 10 top
patient safety issues for 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2019, from
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/10-top-patient-
safety-issues-for-2016.html
Chief Medical Officer. (2018, April 12). Retrieved April 17,
2019, from https://www.vocera.com/chief-medical-officer
CMS. (2012, March 26). Electronic Health Records - Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved from
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/E-

Health/EHealthRecords/index.html
Duvall, A. (2013, October 23). Hospital Errors are the Third
Leading Cause of Death in U.S., and New Hospital Safety
Scores Show Improvements Are Too Slow. Retrieved April 19,
2019, from
http://www.hospitalsafetyscore.org/newsroom/display/hospitaler
rors-thirdleading-causeofdeathinus-improvementstooslow
HealthIT.gov. (2018, November 9). What are the advantages of
electronic health records? Retrieved April 20, 2019, from
https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-are-advantages-electronic-
health-records
Matthews, M., Peters, C., & Lawson, S. (2017). An exploratory
investigation of hospice marketing: How are palliative care
providers marketing their services?. Health marketing
quarterly, 34(1), 48-61.
Rizzo, E. (2014, January 31). 15 Statistics on Patient Safety,
Distribution of HAIs. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/15-statistics-on-
patient-safety-distribution-of-hais.html
Williams, Mark. (2015). Chief Medical Officer. SMA. Retrieved
from https://sma.org/wp-
content/uploads/2015/08/Williams_MF_2015_CMO_Role1.pdf
Wright, C., & Raven, D. (2015). P-44 Improving access to
hospice services: a cross organizational approach to enhance
ethnic diversity

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