Name
Western Governors University
D223 Healthcare Policy and Economics
Prof. Name
Date
Which Healthcare Organization Was Selected from the American Hospital Directory (AHD) Website?
The healthcare organization chosen for this analysis is the University of Utah Health Hospital, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. This hospital functions as a central healthcare provider in the region, offering a broad spectrum of specialized medical services.
Why Is This Healthcare Organization Significant?
University of Utah Health Hospital holds both personal and professional significance. It is the designated Level 1 trauma center for the county, playing a crucial role in emergency and critical care. On a personal note, it is the hospital where I delivered my children and continue to receive medical care. Professionally, I have worked here for eight years, giving me a deep insight into its operational culture, clinical excellence, and community impact.
What Type of Facility Is University of Utah Health Hospital?
University of Utah Health Hospital is classified as a short-term acute care facility. It provides a wide array of clinical services, including cardiovascular care, trauma and emergency services, neurosciences, oncology, organ transplantation, orthopedics, surgical care, wound management, psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, radiology, and specialized units. The hospital is also a major teaching institution and a member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems (COTH), highlighting its dedication to medical education and research innovation.
What Is the Facility’s Type of Control?
This hospital is a government-operated facility managed at the state level. Being a public institution, its services are primarily reimbursed through governmental programs. This status enables the hospital to receive government-funded research grants and supports a mission that extends beyond profit to prioritize public health. The government oversight also ensures accountability and transparency in its operations.
How Is the Hospital’s Overall Quality Rated?
University of Utah Health Hospital is recognized as a 5-star institution by Medicare (2023), ranking it among the nation’s top hospitals. This rating is based on seven essential quality metrics detailed in the table below:
| Quality Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Mortality | Death rates associated with specific medical conditions |
| Safety of Care | Prevention of harm and medical errors |
| Readmission Rates | Frequency of patient readmissions |
| Patient Experience | Feedback on care quality |
| Timeliness of Care | Speed and efficiency of care delivery |
| Effectiveness of Care | Success in achieving desired treatment outcomes |
| Efficient Use of Imaging | Appropriate use of diagnostic imaging |
Hospitals rated 4 or 5 stars consistently demonstrate superior clinical and operational performance, positively impacting patient outcomes and institutional reputation.
What Other Quality Data Are Available?
Beyond Medicare’s ratings, University of Utah Health Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission. This accreditation reflects adherence to rigorous standards for performance, safety, and quality, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to continuous improvement in patient safety and care standards.
How Does the Organization Reflect Ethical Practices?
The hospital’s mission centers on improving public health and quality of life through leadership in education, research, and clinical care (University of Utah Health Care, 2023). Ethical principles are embedded in policies, compliance programs, and legal mandates such as HIPAA, ensuring patient privacy protection. Moreover, the hospital provides several government-funded services that prioritize community health equity, demonstrating a commitment to ethical care beyond financial gain.
What Role Do Nurses Play in Value-Based Care (VBC)?
Nurses are critical in advancing value-based care, which focuses on improving outcomes while managing costs. Their contributions include:
Reducing medical waste, such as avoiding unnecessary laboratory tests.
Ensuring accurate billing to prevent overcharging.
Minimizing hospital-acquired infections through strict infection control measures.
By implementing these practices daily, nurses support both clinical quality and financial sustainability in the hospital.
How Can the Facility Improve Value-Based Care Delivery?
To enhance value-based care further, University of Utah Health Hospital should focus on patient-centered care by actively involving patients in decisions, respecting their preferences, and tailoring services to individual needs. Such patient engagement improves satisfaction, clinical results, and reimbursement under value-based payment models.
How Does University of Utah Health Compare Financially to Nearby Facilities?
A financial comparison between University of Utah Health Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center, another Level 1 trauma center in Utah, reveals differences in revenue sources influenced by ownership type.
| Financial Metric | University of Utah Health (Governmental) | Intermountain Medical Center (Nonprofit) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Patient Revenue | 95.8% | 99.6% |
| Non-Patient Revenue | 4.2% | 0.4% |
| Net Income | 4.0% | 5.7% |
The University of Utah Health relies more on non-patient revenue such as government grants, while Intermountain Medical Center primarily depends on patient care revenue, reflecting its nonprofit operational focus.
Which Facility Aligns More Closely with Equitable Patient-Centered Care?
University of Utah Health shows a stronger alignment with equitable, patient-centered care due to its obligation to fulfill tax-exempt requirements by providing accessible services. Nonprofit hospitals like Intermountain Medical Center also pursue community-centered strategies, addressing the socioeconomic and cultural needs of their populations (Crowley et al., 2021). Both models emphasize community benefit but operate under different frameworks.
What Sources Can Inform Organizational Transformation?
Two key data sources support healthcare improvement efforts:
Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS): Captures patient satisfaction and care quality feedback, helping identify areas for enhancing patient experience.
Total Performance Score: A composite financial measure that evaluates operational effectiveness and influences reimbursement, guiding value-based care improvements.
Using these metrics, hospitals can pinpoint strengths and target areas for organizational growth and transformation.
American Hospital Directory. (2021). Free Profile. https://www.ahd.com/
American Hospital Directory. (2023a). University of Utah Hospital. https://www.ahd.com/free_profile.php?hcfa_id=8dbfa09fa7b5759d676224e37b5448bf&ek=eb078f2153cf6ec6e43027bd169ea969
American Hospital Directory. (2023b). Intermountain Medical Center. https://www.ahd.com/free_profile.php?hcfa_id=80a9fd0ec186c833427e04d9a8f5db99&ek=9e3536910d7d556c9605af1344ea5b15
Crowley, R., Atiq, O., Hilden, D., Beachy, M., Brislen, H., Curry, W., et al. (2023, June 18). Financial profit in medicine: A position paper from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34487452
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Hospital Compare. Retrieved June 17, 2023, from https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospital/460009?city=Salt%20Lake%20City&state=UT&zipcode=
University of Utah – Human Resources. Division of Human Resources. (2023). Ethical Standards in Healthcare. https://www.hr.utah.edu/ethicalstandards/healthcare.php
