WGU D546 Healthcare Policy And Governance Updated
Study Solutions With 2025-2026 Solutions
D546: Healthcare Policy and Governance
Task 1: Merger Analysis
Deborah Eldred
A. Challenges
Standardizing policies and operations could be a challenge for administration when doing
a merger like Western View Children’s Hospital (WVCH) and Cedar Bend Medical
Center (CBMC). One difference is that while WVCH specializes in services like pediatric care,
CBMC services are in a wide range of areas and work primarily with the elderly population. This will
lead to an increase in the diversity of the overall patient population. Updating policies for operations
will need to be managed closely to ensure the needs of all patients are met.
The integration of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems within the merger will present
financial challenges. Cedar Bend relies on a proprietary system, and Western View uses a cloud-
based EHR system; it will be costly to unify the EHR systems for both organizations. While WVCH
is a non-profit organization, CBMC a for-profit organization, and it could be costly to merge.
A1. Ethical Concerns
A lack of transparency and accountability is one ethical concern that may arise from aligning
the two leadership structures. Defining leadership roles should be a priority and could be timely in
the decision-making processes, but it is an essential part that needs to be completed in a timely
, manner. W h e n standardizing policies and operations It is important to consider the differences in
each organization and its unique circumstances when standardizing policies and operations.
Potential failure in managing patient data security is one significant issue and should continually be
monitored. The HIPAA Security Rule was put in place to safeguard electronic health records, and
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule ensures our rights to
our own health information. Protecting patient health records are vital for ensuring compliance with
privacy laws and ensuring patient trust. It's in reimbursement and billing inaccuracies that ethical
concerns can arise. Using incorrect billing that provides a higher payment for services is an example
of inaccurate billing. It is essential that billing services be provided accurately and timely. It is crucial
that corrections are made promptly when Inaccuracies occur.
A2. Governing Agency and Regulatory Requirement
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act {HIPAA) Security Rules are e n f
o r c e d b y t h e US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Office for Civil Rights
{OCR) and protects t h e p a t i e n t ' s electronic health records.
A2a. Regulatory Requirement Impact
Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule
when integrated and monitored properly. The two facilities will be brought together using a
proprietary EHR system that will need to be migrated to a cloud-based EHR system. This process
will involve substantial costs. Security measures are to be taken to protect all electronic health
information during and after the integration phase at both locations, which can be costly. Staff at
both locations will need additional training on the new EHR system to ensure that security is always
the top priority. Using regular audits to monitor HIPAA compliance within both organizations is
essential.
Study Solutions With 2025-2026 Solutions
D546: Healthcare Policy and Governance
Task 1: Merger Analysis
Deborah Eldred
A. Challenges
Standardizing policies and operations could be a challenge for administration when doing
a merger like Western View Children’s Hospital (WVCH) and Cedar Bend Medical
Center (CBMC). One difference is that while WVCH specializes in services like pediatric care,
CBMC services are in a wide range of areas and work primarily with the elderly population. This will
lead to an increase in the diversity of the overall patient population. Updating policies for operations
will need to be managed closely to ensure the needs of all patients are met.
The integration of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems within the merger will present
financial challenges. Cedar Bend relies on a proprietary system, and Western View uses a cloud-
based EHR system; it will be costly to unify the EHR systems for both organizations. While WVCH
is a non-profit organization, CBMC a for-profit organization, and it could be costly to merge.
A1. Ethical Concerns
A lack of transparency and accountability is one ethical concern that may arise from aligning
the two leadership structures. Defining leadership roles should be a priority and could be timely in
the decision-making processes, but it is an essential part that needs to be completed in a timely
, manner. W h e n standardizing policies and operations It is important to consider the differences in
each organization and its unique circumstances when standardizing policies and operations.
Potential failure in managing patient data security is one significant issue and should continually be
monitored. The HIPAA Security Rule was put in place to safeguard electronic health records, and
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule ensures our rights to
our own health information. Protecting patient health records are vital for ensuring compliance with
privacy laws and ensuring patient trust. It's in reimbursement and billing inaccuracies that ethical
concerns can arise. Using incorrect billing that provides a higher payment for services is an example
of inaccurate billing. It is essential that billing services be provided accurately and timely. It is crucial
that corrections are made promptly when Inaccuracies occur.
A2. Governing Agency and Regulatory Requirement
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act {HIPAA) Security Rules are e n f
o r c e d b y t h e US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Office for Civil Rights
{OCR) and protects t h e p a t i e n t ' s electronic health records.
A2a. Regulatory Requirement Impact
Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule
when integrated and monitored properly. The two facilities will be brought together using a
proprietary EHR system that will need to be migrated to a cloud-based EHR system. This process
will involve substantial costs. Security measures are to be taken to protect all electronic health
information during and after the integration phase at both locations, which can be costly. Staff at
both locations will need additional training on the new EHR system to ensure that security is always
the top priority. Using regular audits to monitor HIPAA compliance within both organizations is
essential.
