The Problem
The major problem set forth in this case study is the ever increasing cost to provide patient care at Faith Community Hospital. The CEO of this organization is in a dilemma because he/she (Pat) sees the only solutions are either to increase the patient count (the number of patience that stays over night at the hospital) or tough cost-reduction decisions. This problem causes uncertainty between the board, staff and even the patients of the hospital. I believe Pat is missing the underlining root cause; the vagueness of the mission statement.
Solution
A mission statement should be written as simply as possible. This should focus the organization on what is truly important, and what is not. It will reduce the amount or unnecessary conflict in an organization by preventing people from developing competing mission statements or interpreting the mission statement to able themselves to use resources in ways contrary to the mission.
Mission Statement
Sample mission statement
Emmaus Bible College's Mission StatementThe hospital's mission statement has ambiguous phrases like "commitment of our spiritual heritage and values" which could mean one thing to a Jehovah Witness and another to a Roman Catholic. This phrase could be acceptable if the mission statement was only shared with the staff of the hospital, but by being presented on the back of the staff's business card, everyone who is given a card now has there own interpretation of the hospital's mission statement.
"Provided in collaboration with partners who share the same vision and values", is this true? Do all patients have the same vision and values as all the care providers? The case study indicated that some doctors provide services pro bono while others refused service to patient's who did not have the means to pay. What is "a comprehensive continuum of services", this sound like something from the vernacular of the Borg,