Hill Country Memorial Hospital Case Study

Running head: WHAT MAKES A TOP 100 HOSPITAL? 1

What Makes a Top 100 Hospital?
A Review of Hill Country Memorial Hospital
Jane Doe
DeVry University

Author Note
This paper was prepared for HSM 310, Introduction to Health Services Management, taught by Professor Klense.
WHAT MAKES A TOP 100 HOSPITAL? 2

Abstract
The competition in healthcare is growing, and with good reason. There is a greater demand as our population ages, and patients want to find the best bang for their buck. Healthcare facilities are striving to be the best at what they do, and one ideal motivator is Truven Health Analytics’ annual study as they use certain key performance measures to analyze
43). Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas has won this honor in 2003, 2012, and 2013(Truven, p. 52). Hill Country Memorial Hospital is a voluntary, non-profit private acute care hospital set in the picturesque town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Although it is considered a small community hospital, it has taken great measures to ensure that it is one of the best hospitals in the area. Hill Country Memorial Hospital’s vision is to empower others, and to create healthy individuals. Their mission is to be remarkable always. They hold values that commit to remarkable care with each life they touch, to care for others with a kind heart, to integrate new ideas with courage, to be responsible for their actions, and to uphold their responsibility for lives and resources(Hill Country, 2012). These statements show a clear picture of what they stand for, their goals, and their expectations of their staff. In a sense, these statements have helped to shape a collective understanding by creating an interpretive schema outlining their goals. It is extremely important for members of an organization to have the same way of thinking. By setting clear and concise standards, it lets everyone know where they expect to stand in the eyes of
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Those who are willing and able are welcomed to volunteer their time to help others. “There are many opportunities to make a difference at HCM for those who feel called to serve. Whether enhancing a patient’s stay as a hospital volunteer, raising funds for hospital projects through the HCMH Foundation Friends of the Hospital Gala, serving HCM Hospice patients, helping at the HCM Cancer Resource Center or volunteering at the HCM Thrift Shop, volunteers help provide Remarkable Health Care!”(Hill Country, 2012).
Their organizational structure is functional, with the adoption of a matrix style administration. Each specialty area has a manager, and all staff that falls under that specialty area will report to their specific manager. Advantages of this structure include improved lateral communication and coordination of services, as well as pooled knowledge(Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012, p. 7). The functional structure is common in healthcare settings, and provides for better communication. The matrix allows for each area to have someone to report to. This helps keep people accountable, thus leading the way to a great healthcare