Case five. Development of criteria for hospital acquisition.

The problem explored in this case is the pursuit of horizontal and vertical growth by a multi-institutional system through hospital acquisition. Emphasis is on the selection of appropriate means to identify candidates for acquisition. Since the system did not have extensive experience in formal evaluation of acquisition candidates, it was necessary for system management to develop criteria for acquisition and a process by which to evaluate the criteria. The case is a good example of a thoroughly considered growth orientation.