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ACCORD Limited: Selected Case Studies |
Preparing a Comprehensive Governance
Assessment for a Single Hospital System
Client Profile: An expanding 200+ bed Pennsylvania single hospital system
Project Type: Comprehensive governance assessment including structure, policies, and practices
Challenge: To assist the board in upgrading its governance function at the same time the board was experiencing intense external scrutiny over its practices
ACCORD Solution and Results: Working under extreme time pressure, ACCORD teamed with the board and its other advisors to conduct a detailed review of the system’s legal governance documents, structures, policies, practices, strategic vision, minutes of board and committee meetings, self-evaluation information, board orientation program, education plans, financial situation, and more.
We interviewed all of the board members, senior executives, and physician leaders individually to understand their perspectives on the system’s governance strengths, weaknesses, suggestions for improvement, and to understand the politics and culture of the organization.
After completing the assessment phase of our work, we prepared draft findings, observations, and recommendations for presentation to the full board and senior executive team. During a 3-hour working session with the board, we educated the board on “best practice trends” in not-for-profit governance; reviewed the draft report; and, secured the board’s feedback on the recommendations.
Based on the results of the board work session, we prepared a final report and a number of key policies and procedures for immediate implementation by the board and its committees. We also provided a list of additional policies and governance practices for implementation over a phased timeline.
The comprehensive assessment has resulted in a revised governance structure for the system, including the immediate formation of a Governance Committee to oversee the implementation of the study recommendations; a new set of critical board policies; and a number of practices to enhance how the board carries out its responsibilities. The quick action taken by ACCORD also helped to alleviate some of the external pressures that the board was experiencing.
Integrating Acquired Clinics into a
Large Health System
Client Profile: A large multi-hospital system in the Midwest
Project Type: Integration and business planning
Challenge: To quickly integrate physician groups as they were being acquired by the health system, in order to ensure the success of the acquisitions
ACCORD Solution and Results: As the health system was implementing its strategy to employ large numbers of physicians, ACCORD was retained to design and facilitate planning sessions with the acquired physician groups during and immediately following the acquisition process. We convened meetings with clinic leadership to help them understand what the integration process would entail; develop one year business plans, including measurable goals for each clinic site; and address some of the emotional issues that often occur after physicians have given up total control of their practices.
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