This document provides guidelines for a course project assignment in an HSM 541 healthcare management course. Students must select a problem in the current U.S. healthcare system, analyze its implications, and identify strategies for improvement. The paper should be 8-10 pages and include 8-10 references following APA style. Topics could include problems with the reimbursement system, quality measurement, use of technology, or medical errors. A grading rubric is provided that evaluates sections on background, defining the problem, literature review, problem analysis, potential solutions, recommended solution implementation, and justification.

1. KELLER HSM 541 Week 7 Course Project Due
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HSM 541 Week 7 Course Project Due
This course project gives you the opportunity to select a problem that currently
exists in our healthcare system and analyze its implications on our healthcare
system. The paper should critically analyze the issues related to the topic and
identify key strategies for improvement. In order to meet the project requirements,
it is important to identify an issue or problem within the healthcare system. Please
analyze and review the grading rubric to understand why this is important. Both web
references and professional journals should be considered as references. Don’t
overlook the Keller Online
Library as an important source of information for your paper. The paper
should include 8–10 references in APA or another approved format.
See a more detailed Grading Rubric below.

2. The length of the final paper should be approximately 8–10 pages, double-spaced in
MS Word.
Possible Course Project Topics
Describe the problems with our multiple reimbursement systems. Discuss how a
single-payer system may improve access and cost containment in the U.S. healthcare
system. Evaluate the lack of reimbursement environments for preventive
healthcare programs, and evaluate the effectiveness of the current reimbursement
patterns.
Propose solutions for expanding these programs. Describe the problems in the U.S.
healthcare system and how we might use another nation's healthcare system for
reform. Evaluate how a new system would improve access to care, quality of care,
and the efficient utilization of resources. Choose one particular form of
complementary (nontraditional, alternative) medicine and explain why it may not be
accepted by insurance providers or
reimbursed by insurance companies. Describe its clinical approach
and effectiveness, evaluate its economic impact, and review its potential for
mainstream use, including future licensing and third party reimbursement. Evaluate
the problem of fraud and abuse in the current U.S. healthcare
system.
Analyze the effectiveness of the OIG’s Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Program, and
analyze effective actions healthcare organizations can take to
decrease their liability in this area, offering examples. Critically evaluate the
readiness and the effectiveness of the U.S.
Healthcare Delivery System in responding to a widespread bioterrorism
event; propose changes as appropriate to your analysis. Discuss some of the
problems in measuring quality in the healthcare environment and investigate
quality measurement. Provide options for quality measurement and the processes
that could be measured in a healthcare setting. Critically evaluate the use of
technology in healthcare and the challenges
it presents in healthcare delivery. Offer specific examples or situations addressing
technology’s contributions to improving the quality of health and
healthcare; consider impact on healthcare costs and analyze trade-offs. Describe the
problem of medical errors in our delivery system.
Evaluate the effectiveness of selected programs aimed at reducing medical errors in
the U.S. healthcare system; discuss one or more of the most effective measures
identified to date and make recommendations for additional action.
NOTE: Other topics related to course content/TCOs will be considered, but only as
approved in advance by your instructor.

3. Grading
Rubrics Introduce the issue. Define the problem. Search the literature. Analyze the
problem. Offer possible solutions. Propose a single solution. Develop an
implementation plan. Justify why/how if your solution will solve the
identified problem.
Your paper must include, but is not limited to, the following sections:
Category Points Description BACKGROUND 10 Describe the problem, organization,
or situation you selected; identify the specific issues of interest or controversy; and
present background/facts of the problem, organization, or situation that will enable
the reader to clearly understand the issue. DEFINE THE PROBLEM 10 Identify and
clearly state the problem, the management issue, in
which an element of the identified problem or situation is not meeting expectations.
Remember that what appears to be the problem may actually be just
a symptom of a bigger problem – dig deep to be sure you've identified the
real problems. If there appears to be more than one problem/issue, decide if they
are separate or related issues.
State the problem in the form of a question. For example, if a work group is not
performing effectively, an effective problem statement might
be "How can the staff shortage improve?" rather than simply "Short Staff problems."
LITERATURE REVIEW 35
Present what you discovered in your search of the literature. Review issues, theories,
concepts, and studies discussed in class and in our textbook, and review what other
writers/researchers have to say about the subject of your analysis. Discuss the
concepts, ideas, or insights that are most valuable in helping you make sense of your
project. What theories can you use?
What writers say something of value? Why is it of value? Which models are the least
helpful, and why? What theories or concepts will you challenge or
criticize because your findings are different? In short, demonstrate
an understanding of the literature and apply it sensibly to the problem. This is
not a course in applied commonsense; however, such practical intelligence
is important, especially in the application stage.
A literature review is like playing a video game in which you are in a chamber with
many doors. As you open each door, you uncover clues to
help you progress to the next level. Similarly, in a literature review, your objective is
to open the doors that can point the way to solving your business
problem. Begin your literature review with a broad look at your field of interest,

4. then narrow your focus until you zero in on the essential issues of
concern.
NOTE: A literature review is a required element of this assignment. A good rule of
thumb is to review at least 10 resources, beyond the
textbook and class readings, to ensure the effectiveness of your research.
SUGGESTION: Begin your literature survey by accessing Keller's online library at
www.keller.edu.
PROBLEM ANALYSIS 30 This section should provide a detailed analysis of the
causes of the problem(s) or issue(s) you identified in Section II. A major objective
is to clearly illustrate how you are using the healthcare course concepts (as well as
what your learned from your literature review) to better understand the causes of
the problem(s) or issue(s). Show that you are applying course material! (Note: Use
subheadings to identify each factor you
address.) POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS 30 Explore three solutions that could be appropriate
ways to solve the identified problem/issue. Be sure these solutions are logical based
on your analysis and that they each would effectively treat the problem, not
the symptoms. Also, discuss the anticipated outcomes (both positive and negative)
of implementing each of the possible solutions you identified. SOLUTION AND ITS
IMPLEMENTATION 35 Outline your recommended solution to the problem/issue,
one of the alternatives explored in Section V, or a combination of those alternatives.
State your solution clearly and specifically. Describe exactly what should be done
and how it should be done, including by whom, with whom, and in what
sequence. Here are some points to keep in mind as you write this section:
Have I indicated an awareness of the problem of implementation (the how aspect)?
Have I been specific enough? For example, a general solution might state, "The
healthcare manager needs to realize that his or her style should match the situation."
A specific solution would state what style is most appropriate for the situation and
how you will attempt to the have the manager realize the appropriate style. What
aspects of the problem remain unresolved by my solution? Does my recommended
solution and implementation plan address the problem/issues and causes identified
in the previous sections? Does my solution consider and resolve the identified pros
and cons? How will I evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented recommended
solution? What process checks or procedures will I put in place to institutionalize the
improvement? Could my solution cause other problems/issues? What risks
are inherent in the solution you recommend? What contingency plans do
you recommend? Assess the realism of your proposed action plan. For example, is
there adequate time, money, or other resources for your solution? In addition, does
your solution place too much reliance on other people being reasonable or what you
think is reasonable? JUSTIFICATION 25 Justify why your recommended solution and
its implementation will solve the identified problem/issue in the organization/unit
you selected.

5. An important element of this section is to show very clearly how you applied course
concepts to arrive at a workable solution and a successful implementation. Apply
appropriate course material; support your conclusions with appropriately
referenced facts, quotes, and readings; and be sure your justification addresses
identified pros and cons. REFERENCES 25 All citations in the paper must appear in
the reference list, and all references must be cited in the text of the paper. Choose
references judiciously and cite them accurately. Citations of an author's work in the
text documents your work, briefly identifies the source for readers, and
enables readers to locate the source of information in the alphabetical reference
list at the end of the paper. To use the ideas or words of another without
crediting the source is plagiarism.
Plagiarism, in its purest form, involves copying of entire passages either verbatim or
nearly verbatim, with no direct acknowledgment of the source. The most common
(and unconscious) form of plagiarism is when a direct quotation is simply
paraphrased. Paraphrasing does not relieve you of the obligation to provide proper
identification of source data. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to make sure all
quotes, ideas, or conclusions not your own are given proper acknowledgment in
your text. Total 200

6. An important element of this section is to show very clearly how you applied course
concepts to arrive at a workable solution and a successful implementation. Apply
appropriate course material; support your conclusions with appropriately
referenced facts, quotes, and readings; and be sure your justification addresses
identified pros and cons. REFERENCES 25 All citations in the paper must appear in
the reference list, and all references must be cited in the text of the paper. Choose
references judiciously and cite them accurately. Citations of an author's work in the
text documents your work, briefly identifies the source for readers, and
enables readers to locate the source of information in the alphabetical reference
list at the end of the paper. To use the ideas or words of another without
crediting the source is plagiarism.
Plagiarism, in its purest form, involves copying of entire passages either verbatim or
nearly verbatim, with no direct acknowledgment of the source. The most common
(and unconscious) form of plagiarism is when a direct quotation is simply
paraphrased. Paraphrasing does not relieve you of the obligation to provide proper
identification of source data. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to make sure all
quotes, ideas, or conclusions not your own are given proper acknowledgment in
your text. Total 200