Strategic Plan Part II - Environmental Analysis and Setting Strategic Goals The objective of this study is to complete an environmental scan for the Bon Secours Health System. This study will assess the organizational internal strengths and weaknesses and analyze the industry for opportunities and threats. This study will additionally perform a gap analysis including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and describe the organization's present and prospective customers. The following external factors will be considered: (1) consumer and social; (2) competitive; (3) technological; (4) economic; and (5) legal and regulatory.

Bon Secours is a nonprofit Catholic health care system. The organization is reported to be engaged in "providing skilled, unified management and professional resources for all Bon Secours health care operations while preserving its tradition of providing quality care to all." (Global Data, 2013, p.1) The Bon Secours organization is inclusive of nursing care centers and acute care hospitals, community-based home health divisions, hospice services, assisted living facilities, physician practice management and ambulatory facilities. (Global Data, 2013, paraphrased)

I. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis was performed on the information available for Bon Secours Health System and reveals the information shown in the following labeled Figure 1.

Figure 1 -- SWOT Analysis

Source: Global Data (2013)

II. GAP Analysis

A GAP analysis consider the factors including: (1) consumer and social; (2) competitive; (3) technological; (4) economic; and (5) legal and regulatory.

Consumer and Social

In regards to consumer and social factors affecting the Bon Secours health care organization is the impact that the reformed health care system will have on the organization in that more individuals will have access to health care than ever before which will put a strain on the already over-burdened health care system including Bon Secours'...

Bon Secours health care system hospitals are located in the states of: (1) Kentucky; (2) Maryland; (3) New York; (4) South Carolina; and (5) Virginia. The Long-Term Care Facilities of Bon Secours health system are located in: (1) Florida; (2) New York; and (3) Virginia.
Competitive

Pressures from competition will continue with the primary competitors of the Bon Secours health care system reported to include: (1) Inova Health System; (2) MedStar Health; (3) Sentara Healthcare Inc.; (4) Ascension Health; and (5) Catholic Health East. (Global Data, 2013, p.1

Technological

It is reported that the Bon Secours Health System, Inc. And some of its subsidiaries "were named by AHA's Health Forum as 'Most Wired for 2013'. It is reported that 2013 is the 15th anniversary of Health Care's Most Wired Survey and that hospitals and health care systems "have made great strides in establishing the basic building blocks for creating robust clinical information systems aimed at improving patient care." (Bon Secours, 2013, p.1)

Economic

Bon Secours Health System is reported to have established a Community Investment Program which utilizes part of its investment funds or unrestricted assets which are made available "through loans to community projects." (Bon Secours, 2013, p.1) These funds are reported to be combined "with resources from other socially responsible investment parties." (Bon Secours, 2013, p1.) The funds are made available through financial institutions that are non-profit to borrowers at "low, or below market rates to foster improvements in the overall health of communities." (Bon Secours, 2013, p1.) Loans include those for affordable housing projects, community and childcare centers, workforce development, education and economic and social development initiatives." (Bon Secours, 2013, p1.) Additionally, it is reported that Bon Secours Health System participates in a strategic partnership with Mercy Housing, Inc. This…