NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change
NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change Name Capella university NHS-FPX 6008 Economics and Decision Making in Health Care Prof. Name Date Business Case for Change Homelessness at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center presents a significant healthcare economic issue, deeply affecting patient care, staff well-being, and organizational finances. The persistent challenges of managing chronic conditions among homeless patients increase operational costs and strain resources, contributing to staff burnout and reduced community access. This assessment explores the economic impact, feasibility, and cost-benefit of targeted interventions, emphasizing culturally sensitive and ethical solutions to improve patient outcomes and foster a sustainable healthcare model. Addressing this issue is critical for enhancing healthcare delivery and ensuring equity within the community. Problem and the Impact of Healthcare Economic Issues Homelessness at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is a pressing healthcare economic issue impacting me, my colleagues, our organization, and the broader community. Immediate attention is needed to address its effects. Every day, my colleagues and I provide care to individuals experiencing homelessness, often facing complex medical conditions worsened by unstable housing. The lack of stable housing complicates our efforts to manage chronic conditions, follow up on treatment plans, and ensure medication adherence. These challenges extend beyond medical treatment as we navigate social determinants of health, leading to increased workloads and stress (Robinson et al., 2022). This situation is not just frustrating; it’s exhausting, contributing to burnout among many of us. For our organization, the impact is equally significant. The emergency department, where homeless individuals often seek care, is overwhelmed. This overutilization leads to overcrowding and skyrocketing operational costs, threatening the financial health of our hospital. Studies show that the mean cost increases for hospital admissions among homeless individuals can range from $6,990 for non-psychiatric cases to $7,012 for mental health cases (Wiens et al., 2021). These costs are unsustainable and divert resources from critical areas of care, affecting both those we serve and our colleagues. Physicians often feel frustrated, providing temporary fixes rather than long-term solutions, impacting their morale and professional satisfaction. NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change The community we serve is also affected, as increased emergency service use by homeless individuals leads to wait times longer, reducing access for others. Studies show undomiciled patients experience longer emergency department wait times, averaging 53.4 minutes versus 38.9 minutes for domiciled patients (Ayala et al., 2021). This burdens the community and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and poor health outcomes across the population. This issue resonates deeply with me as a healthcare professional. I feel stuck in a system that fails to address the root causes of our problems. Current healthcare models are not designed to meet the unique needs of people experiencing homelessness, often failing to integrate responses to specific barriers like unstable housing (Carmichael et al., 2023). This disconnect exacerbates health disparities and places an unsustainable burden on our healthcare system. As we look toward the future, it’s clear that we must develop specialized, adaptable healthcare models that address these unique needs. Doing so will not only improve the health outcomes of this vulnerable population but will also reduce the economic burden on our hospitals and healthcare professionals. Imagine a system where we’re not just putting out fires in the emergency room but are instead providing comprehensive, preventive care that keeps people healthier and reduces the need for emergency services. Research suggests that shifting from emergency to preventive care models could save up to 30% in costs (Vohra et al., 2022), freeing up resources to invest in other critical areas. Considering Feasibility and Cost-Benefit Analysis Addressing homelessness at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is both feasible and economically advantageous. As the number of homeless individuals seeking emergency care increases, the hospital faces significant financial and operational pressures. Investing in targeted interventions such as preventive care and specialized outreach programs for homelessness can mitigate these pressures, leading to substantial cost savings and improved patient outcomes. Implementing preventive care for the homeless population offers notable cost benefits. Research indicates that preventive care is significantly more cost-effective than emergency services. For example, emergency department visits average $1,500, while preventive care costs about $500 per patient annually (Wiens et al., 2021). By transitioning 20% of emergency visits to preventive care, the hospital could save approximately $3 million annually, demonstrating a clear financial advantage. Additionally, improving resource utilization through specialized care teams and outreach programs can reduce overcrowding and operational costs. Overcrowding increases costs by 15% due to additional staffing and longer wait times (Ayala et al., 2021). Targeted interventions can alleviate these issues, potentially saving $2 million annually. NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 3 Business Case for Change Addressing homelessness effectively can enhance community relations and attract additional funding. Hospitals engaged in community health initiatives can secure up to 25% more in grants and donations. By successfully managing homelessness, St. Joseph’s Hospital could potentially increase its funding by $500,000 annually, bolstering its financial position and enabling further improvements in patient care. To mitigate financial risks, the hospital should diversify its funding sources. This involves seeking grants, forming partnerships with local nonprofits, and pursuing community donations, which can reduce dependence on a single revenue stream and enhance financial stability (Sykes & Ontario, 2022). Evidence suggests that hospitals with diversified funding experience 20% less financial volatility compared to those relying on traditional sources (Carmichael et al., 2023). Additionally, implementing cost-effective programs such as telehealth services and mobile clinics can lower operational costs while extending care to the homeless population. Telehealth services, for example, reduce healthcare costs by up to 15% while improving access to care (Gutwinski et al., 2021). Lastly, enhancing care coordination through electronic health records (EHRs) and integrated care teams for homelessness can streamline processes and reduce unnecessary expenditures. Effective care coordination can decrease healthcare costs by up to 10% and improve overall efficiency (Klamen et al., 2024). Addressing homelessness through targeted interventions is both feasible and economically beneficial for St. Joseph’s Hospital, leading to significant cost savings and enhanced community