research a health care organization or network that spans several states with in the United States (United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Health, etc.). Assess the readiness of the health care organization or network you chose in regard to meeting the health care needs of citizens in the next decade.
Prepare a 1,000-1,250 word paper that presents your assessment and proposes a strategic plan to ensure readiness. Include the following:
1. Describe the health care organization or network.
2. Describe the organization’s overall readiness based on your findings.
3. Prepare a strategic plan to address issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.
4. Identify any current or potential issues within the organizational culture and discuss how these issues may affect aspects of the strategic plan.
5. Propose a theory or model that could be used to support implementation of the strategic plan for this organization. Explain why this theory or model is best.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be appropriate for the assignment and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need Helpance.
Introduction
As the population continues to grow and age, the demand for quality healthcare services is expected to increase significantly in the next decade. Therefore, it is imperative that healthcare organizations and networks assess their readiness to meet the health care needs of citizens in the future. In this paper, we will assess the readiness of United Healthcare (UHC), a healthcare organization that spans several states within the United States, to meet the healthcare needs of citizens in the next decade. Furthermore, we will propose a strategic plan to ensure readiness, considering issues relating to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.
Description of the Organization
United Healthcare (UHC) is a healthcare organization that provides healthcare insurance and services to millions of people across the United States. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. UHC is part of UnitedHealth Group, one of the largest healthcare organizations in the world. The company operates in all 50 states of the United States and serves more than 6 million people through its various health plans.
Readiness Assessment
In assessing the readiness of UHC, we examined several factors that affect the ability of the organization to meet the healthcare needs of citizens in the next decade. These factors include network growth, nurse staffing, resource management, and patient satisfaction.
Network Growth: UHC has been expanding its network through mergers and acquisitions, which has increased its reach across the United States. In 2019, the company acquired DaVita Medical Group, which added more than 300 primary and specialty care clinics to its network. Additionally, the company has been partnering with healthcare providers and systems to improve the quality of care provided to its members. These initiatives show that UHC is positioning itself to meet the healthcare needs of citizens in the next decade.
Nurse Staffing: Nurse staffing is a critical factor in ensuring that healthcare organizations provide high-quality care to their patients. UHC has been working to increase the number of nurses in its network by partnering with nursing schools and providing scholarships to nursing students. Additionally, the company has been offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain nurses. These initiatives show that UHC is committed to providing quality care to its members by ensuring adequate nurse staffing.
Resource Management: Effective resource management is crucial for healthcare organizations to provide high-quality care while minimizing costs. UHC has been investing in technology and innovation to improve its operations and reduce costs. For instance, the company has been using data analytics to identify areas of improvement in its operations and to develop targeted interventions to address them. Furthermore, UHC has been using telemedicine to improve access to care for its members, especially those in rural areas. These initiatives show that UHC is committed to effective resource management, which will enable it to provide quality care while minimizing costs.
Patient Satisfaction: Patient satisfaction is a critical factor in assessing the quality of care provided by healthcare organizations. UHC has been focusing on improving patient satisfaction by providing personalized care to its members. For instance, the company has been using data analytics to identify members with chronic conditions and providing them with personalized care plans to manage their conditions. Additionally, UHC has been investing in programs to improve the overall health and wellness of its members, such as wellness coaching and disease management programs. These initiatives show that UHC is committed to improving patient satisfaction, which will enhance the quality of care provided to its members.
Strategic Plan
To ensure that UHC is ready to meet the healthcare needs of citizens in the next decade, we propose the following strategic plan:
Network Growth: UHC should continue to expand its network through mergers and acquisitions and partnerships with healthcare providers and systems. This will increase its reach and enable it to provide quality care to more people across the United States.
Nurse Staffing: UHC should
