WGU D519 A2 (Task 2) Integrated Care Case Analyses Worksheet
(Assignment 2) Latest Update with Complete Solution
Instructions:
Using this worksheet, you will analyze two case studies found within the course of study,
that demonstrate integrated care. You will complete Part 1 of this worksheet twice, once for
the Sentara case study and once for the Commonwealth Care Alliance case study. Then, you
will complete Part 2.
Part 1
Overview of Organization
Assess the structure, needs, target population, and integration strategies of the organization
in the case analysis by answering the following questions.
Name of organization #1:
Sentara
1. Identify basic organization information. What basic information do you know about
the organization? Include information like size, location, capabilities, capacity, mission,
vision, and values.
Sentara is a distinguished non-profit healthcare system, with its headquarters located in the vibrant city
of Norfolk, Virginia. The system is deeply committed to its mission of enhancing the overall health and
wellness of the community. Sentara achieves this by providing comprehensive healthcare services,
which are tailored to meet the unique needs of patients. These services range from primary care and
community health to nursing and hospital home services (Butler, 2018).
Sentara operates a network of ten hospitals, with an additional facility currently under construction. The
healthcare system boasts of a team of over 500 highly qualified medical doctors and progressive care
consultants. In addition to this, Sentara manages seven nursing homes and provides top-notch patient
and care transportation services. To further cater to the needs of its patients, Sentara offers a
comprehensive healthcare plan known as 'Optima' Health (Sentara, n.d.)
2. Assess the organization’s structure. How is the organization structured, and how
does its structure affect integration strategies?
The organization is governed by a board of directors comprising the chief executive officer and other
regional managers. Their primary responsibility is to provide oversight to all organizational processes
across all regions, ensuring seamless delivery of care to achieve customer satisfaction. The vice
presidents play a crucial role, with their responsibilities divided into various functions, including
innovation/research & development, communication, public affairs, human resources, and marketing.
, They work collaboratively to drive innovation, promote effective communication, manage public
relations, ensure employee satisfaction, and develop effective marketing strategies to achieve the
organization's goals (Winaste et al., 2023).
3. Consider the organization’s history. What is the organization’s history with
integrated care?
Sentara has a rich and fascinating history that spans back over a century. The healthcare system can
trace its roots to 1888 when the Retreat for the Sick was established as a 25-bed hospital in Norfolk,
Virginia. The facility experienced significant growth over the years, evolving into a thriving community
hospital with 475 beds by 1958, and changing its name to Norfolk General Hospital along the way. In
1972, Norfolk General merged with Leigh Memorial Hospital, which was located nearby, and together
they formed the Medical Center Hospitals. After several years of providing outstanding care to the
community, the Medical Center Hospitals were rebranded as Sentara in 1986, a name that has become
synonymous with excellence in healthcare (Vijayaraghavan et al., 2011). Today, Sentara continues to be
a leading healthcare provider, dedicated to delivering innovative and compassionate care to its patients.
4. Identify populations. Which populations does the organization primarily serve, and
what are the health needs of those populations?
In the state of Virginia, healthcare coverage is provided to more than 433,000 individuals by hospitals,
including a group of approximately 10,000 Sentara employees. The health plan offers a variety of
coverage options to 269,000 commercial customers through plans such as HMO, point of service
(POS), PPO, and high-deductible health plans (HDHP). Among these plans, HMO has the lowest
monthly premium, but it also has the smallest provider network. The POS plan, on the other hand,
offers a slightly higher premium than HMO but provides a wider network of physicians. Lastly, the
PPO plan has the highest monthly premium, but it also boasts the largest physician network and
better coverage options outside the state of Virginia (Vijayaraghavan et al., 2011).
5. Distinguish and evaluate strategies. Outline the strategies that the organization
used for integration and evaluate how those strategies met the needs of the
organization’s target populations.
Sentara, a leading healthcare provider, has taken several strategic measures to improve and expand
its patient safety protocols. The organization has instilled a culture of mindfulness amongst its staff,
encouraging them to be vigilant about how their actions and decisions impact patient safety. The staff
is also trained to identify and address potential interruptions in care, ensuring that patients receive
uninterrupted attention (Sentara, n.d.).
To improve the patient experience, Sentara has increased referrals to Long-Term Services
Coordinators (LTSCs), who support patients with complex medical needs. The organization has also
provided leaders with reinforcement behavior that promotes patient safety and engaged physicians in
patient safety programs (Sentara, n.d.).
Sentara has also established robust processes to learn from mistakes and reduce the risk of errors,
while fostering a "just culture" that avoids blaming individuals for honest mistakes. The organization
has set high performance standards and incentivized them, including the elimination of preventable
