You are a healthcare consultant hired by the Midwest Healthcare System to assist them in developing their organization's strategic plan that will shape the development of a comprehensivenetworkof services for their community. The organization provides the usual array of inpatient services expected in a moderate-sized community hospital.A local nursing home and retirement community is for sale, and the organization is considering the purchase of that agency.There is a regional hospital that is trying to establish a statewide hospital network. There is a local county health department that provides some clinic services, primarily for the uninsured. You've been asked to give a presentation to the board of directors on options for restructuring their local delivery of healthcare services. The hospital's president has asked you to focus your presentation on the elements of a comprehensive delivery system and to highlight innovative methods to restructure the hospital. The presentation will lay out the requirements of an integrated healthcare delivery system.

*present information on integrated healthcare delivery (vertical vs. horizontal)/pros-cons of each and highlight the innovative methods used to make hospitals more competitive (balance costs, quality, access).