Analysis of Health Care Organization

SWOT Analysis of Health Care Organization -- Mayo Clinic

Kristy Andrews

November 6, 2012

Mr. Scott Chavez

Advanced Healthcare Management

Introduction to Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the first and largest not-for-profit medical group practice, health care organization initially run as a temporary hospital by the practice of Dr. William and his two sons, William J. and Charles H. Mayo when a Tornado struck Rochester in 1883. Today, however, Mayo Clinic has thrived into a huge organization with three clinics and four hospitals in three states, employing more than 40,000 physicians, scientists, nurses and allied health workers. In addition, the Mayo Clinic owns and operates the Mayo Clinic Health System, which consists of more than 70 hospitals and clinics across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Mayo Clinic also runs colleges of medicine, including Mayo School of Health Sciences, Mayo Medical School and the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education. More than a million people get treated at Mayo Clinic from all 50 states and around 150 countries each year.

Through growth and change, Mayo Clinic remains committed to its guiding principle, as articulated by Dr. Will that the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered (Mayo Clinic, 2011). As of 2011 Mayo Clinic had total revenue of $8,476 million which reflects the business success of Mayo even in the time of economic downfall.

Mayo's Mission Statement

As stated on its website Mayo Clinic's (2012) mission statement is

"To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research."

Their primary value states that "The needs of the patient come first" therefore we can say that Mayo Clinic is a patient focused organization.

Environmental Assessment

Mayo Clinic maybe considered as a true national brand of Health Care in America since it is well known. Focus of Mayo Clinic since it was established has been on providing highest quality of care to all patients. The organization steadily focuses on team work and group oriented approach, which is why instead of a marketing strategy its success has been built by work-of-mouth after all these years of quality patient care. This quality is what makes Mayo Clinic differ from other healthcare organizations that also tend to provide same kind of services.

Organizational Assessment

The Environment at Mayo Clinic values strong work ethics and excellence in skills. Expertise is highly recognized and employees tend to show commitment towards their organization. A scholarly environment for education and research is also provided which acts as an edge for the organization. Further physician governance is incorporated in organization's environment which makes doctors the leaders and provides an egalitarian environment. Mayo Clinic tends to provide exceptional decorum, facilities and professionalism in their service structure. Mayo Clinic realizes that the world is on a rapid quest towards technological advancement. Further employees are the face of Mayo Clinic which is why the organization has taken initiatives like the Mayo Effect survey and using social media which lets employees and patients share their unique experiences at Mayo Clinic (Donlin, 2010).

Human Resource Assessment

Mayo Clinic has long followed the philosophy of its founders which states that since medical knowledge is so cast it is impossible for one man to excel in it. Therefore best interest of patient which is to get benefit from advance knowledge combination of various forces is vital. Due to which it is necessary to incorporate cooperative science including clinician, specialists, and laboratory workers to work in a group oriented approach focusing on the elucidation of problem at hand. Mayo has inhibited a culture of teamwork and collaboration since its founding a tradition which is conserved through scrupulous recruitment procedure (Ramlall, 2009). Mayo Clinic provides facilities like online shared clinical record for peer review, paging system and salary based compensation to its employees. Further the employees are free to practice multi disciplines and enhance their skills and knowledge in the research centers.

Political Assessment

Several acts were enacted in the presidency of President Obama like Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act. This act restricts insurance companies to drop people when they get sick, it allows young adults to stay on their parent's health plans till the age of 26 and likewise. These policies tend to facilitate general public on their health care. Health Care Organizations are also directly affected by such policies since non-profit organizations depend on grants and funding from the government. Right now the health care bills are how ever being criticized for their not so positive role in improving the health care condition of Americans.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Research and Innovation

Mayo Clinic tends to give a lot of attention to Research and education activities. The teams at Mayo are involved in multidisciplinary a research which helps in rapid discoveries of new treatment and prevention techniques.

Focus on Quality

At Mayo Clinic quality is the in-depth outlook on the experience of a patient. Mayo tends to focus on excellence in knowledge and expertise, care, compassionate staff and technology. Measures of quality are mortality rate, surgical infections, and number of people who have been successfully diagnosed along with the integration of confidential medical record. Mayo Clinic also tends to measure quality in the time given to patient, treating with respect and dignity and making sure that the appointments are on time along with the availability of the doctors.

Integrated Medical Record System and Team Work

Mayo has incorporated a patient scheduling system which allows