Hospital Administrator Case Study Answer Key

Summary of the Facts The hospital administrator, Alan King, has just been told by his Head of Security, Josh Peterson, the master keys to the dangerous offender’s ward have gone missing. To replace the keys and locks would cost the hospital $6000. To make matters worse, the hospital is also running a 10% deficit and there is no money in the current budget to fix the locks.

Statement of the Problem The primary problem is that the keys were lost to the dangerous offender’s ward of the hospital and now the public’s safety is now at risk. On top of the mismanagement of keys the hospital is running at a 10% deficit.

Causes of the Problem Mismanagement: The administrator needs to effectively manage his resources in a more secure and productive manner. Currently, if the keys were replaced there is no management system in place to stop this problem from reoccurring. Not enough money in the budget: There is no money available from the current budget to fix the locks.

Possible Solutions #1 : Replace the keys and install a high tech system that can track the location of the keys. PROS: -If keys are lost they can be easily found -Helps ensure the safety of the community CONS: -This system is expensive -System could fail- technical difficulties -This system might interfere with medical exquipment.

Possible Solutions #2: Replace half of the keys and locks to save money and put an administrative control that severely limits access to keys and forces security to sign out and sign in keys during regular intervals through a third party. PROS: -You could save half the money by replacing half the locks. -The administrative control measure secures the keys at a relatively low cost. -System would not interfere with medical equipment. -System would have no technical difficulties. CONS: -Keys could be in the hands of a dangerous offender and you run safety risks by not changing the locks.

Possible Solutions #3: Replace all of the keys and locks, put an administrative control that severely limits access to keys and forces security to sign out and sign in keys during regular intervals through a third party. PROS: -The administrative control measure secures the keys at a relatively low cost. -The system would not interfere with medical equipment. -The system would have no technical difficulties. CONS: -Costs will be high.

Recommendation/Conclusion The best solution is alternative 3 to replace all of the keys and locks and put an administrative control that severely limits access to keys and forces security to sign out and sign in keys during regular intervals through a third party. This method works well for the organization because it keeps expense down and leads to a move productive use of resources. It is a better choice for Alan King because a reoccurrence of this scenario(losing keys) even through a technological breakdown or the possibility of a dangerous offender on the loose would be detrimental to his career. This is also the safest option for patients and community members.

Recommendation/Conclusion ACTION PLAN: Contact the locksmith immediately to unlock doors and check attendance. Notify the police and ask for their assistance if any dangerous offenders are missing. Notify upper management of the situation and that emergency funds are needed to secure the safety of the community. If the budget is not increased find areas to increase productivity by either raising revenues – parking lot fees or cutting costs- that do not affect the quality of health care. Put an administrative control that severely limits access to keys and forces security to sign out and sign in keys during regular intervals using a third party.