A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the admin

Question

A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the administration of every operational factor from rules to be obeyed by employees to the scheduling of equipment and supply purchases can be installed by any hospital that wishes to do so, free of charge. The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest. It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the plan of the hospital's board of directors?

(A) The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow though for most it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, others usually costing high prices for their use.

(B) Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.

(C) Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.

(D) The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.

(E) Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.

souvik101990 · Accepted Answer

E states that hospital services are paid per day. Since we are told in the last premise that the system results in shorter recovery times, it follows that patients will be paying lower fees. Since the Amgudnow is never full, it doesn't need to constantly vacate beds. Therefore, the system will be too efficient, meaning that the patients will leave too soon with only small hospital bills and less financial benefit to the hospital.

nick28 · Answer

Weaken Question

(A) The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow though for most it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, others usually costing high prices for their use. 
 Strengthens the plan 
(B) Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.
 Out of Scope 
(C)Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.
 Strengthen 
(D) The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.
 Strengthen the plan 
(E)Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.
  Weaken the plan , as it would lead to higher costs for the end customer

(E) should be the correct choice among the options

argha · Answer

Hi,

What is the conclusion?

Is it financial benefit(...perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest) or is it that it would improve efficiency and provide high level of satisfaction(cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times)?

I think the latter is a fact and not a conclusion.

However, need expert's opinion please.

Regards

Argha

blueseas · Answer

IMO E 
we have to  weaken  :the effectiveness of the plan of the hospital's board of directors

BOARDS thought :The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial  financially

OPTION E :Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.
 CLEARY this weakens the BOARDS thought ...since hospital serveices are very costly so they are not going to benefit financially.
 
 lets see other options:

(A)  The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow though for most it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, others usually costing high prices for their use. ==> this doesnt say anything about how it will affect .hence OFS.

(B)  Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.
 DOESNT weakens as there is no where written that staffs are not willing to accept new ideas in the hospital.
 
 (C) Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.
t his will rather strengthens.

(D)  The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.
 OUT OF SCOPE(OFS)

hence E

Marie7 · Answer

Hi,

I think the conclusion here is not important because the question stem asks us to evaluate the effectiveness of the management protocol system from the point of view of the board of directions. The passage says that the board of directors feels that the plan will benefit them financially. We are asked to weaken their point of view.

Answer choice E says that the hospital costs are very high and are charged per day of hospitalisation. If you read the passage carefully, it is said in the passage that the plan is efficient in that it reduces recovery times. Now, if recovery times are reduced, then the patient will go home earlier than he would if the system were not in place. So, the hospital's revenues will decrease as a patient is charged per day of hospitalization and therefore, the financial viability of the management protocol system is undermined.

Answer choice E is the right choice.

argha

Hi,

What is the conclusion?

Is it financial benefit(...perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest) or is it that it would improve efficiency and provide high level of satisfaction(cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times)?

I think the latter is a fact and not a conclusion.

However, need expert's opinion please.

Regards

Argha

target2015 · Answer

A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the administration of every operational factor from rules to be obeyed by employees to the scheduling of equipment and supply purchases can be installed by any hospital that wishes to do so, free of charge. The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest. It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the plan of the hospital's board of directors?

The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow though for most it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, others usually costing high prices for their use.

Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.

Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.

The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.

Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.

I'll not mind a kudo or two :roll:

rajarshee · Answer

The abysmal quality of the language used to frame this question is making it extra tough without adding any value in the preparation process. E which is the OA is basically referring to hospital services as "their" and then talking about the employment of some unspecified subject.

kanigmat011 · Answer

Don't agree with OA
question stem mentions" It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.
".

SO we are not sure that it is still implemented in the hospital or not
Choice B weakens the plan if hospital staff doesn't agree to work according to this new plan. '

checking the OE provides below explanation for choice B being incorrect

This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the plan to use the system. Since we are not told anything about the staff at the Amgudnow Hospital, we cannot assume that they will be willing, or unwilling, to adopt such a system. Therefore, we cannot use this statement to assess the success of such a system at Amgudnow

But the explanation goes wrong as without assuming what can go wrong with the plan we cannot say about the weakness of the plan

abrakadabra21 · Answer

A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the administration of every operational factor from rules to be obeyed by employees to the scheduling of equipment and supply purchases can be installed by any hospital that wishes to do so, free of charge. The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged,  perceives the system as being very beneficial financially  and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest. It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.

MPS => Unique moethod => administration operational factor. => free
 conclusion is not that it will reduce recovery time, but conclusion is that it is financially benefit the hospital.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the plan of the hospital's board of directors?

(B) Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems. => no effect on conclusion, we dont know if they will accpt it or may be they won't. 
(C)Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.=> strengthening the plan
(D) The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight. => strengthening the plan

(E)Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and  are charged for per day of hospitalization.  if patients are charged per day of Hospitalization then reducing recovery time will have opp. effect.

saurabhmishrano1 · Answer

To solve this question you have to understand the lines and their meaning. While solving this question I was unable to comprehend the meaning of some lines.

The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest.

This line means that the hospital is not fully filled or not operating at its full capacity.

It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.

The keyword  'reducing recovery times'   means that the system is so efficient in managing and handling the patients reducing their discharge time in the hospital times.

Pre-thinking: 
Now how can we believe less that this plan will help hospitals in achieving the desired result?
We know from the question that this plan is very efficient but it will be of no use to the board of directors if it does not generate revenue.
That is the angle we have to focus on that somehow this plan will not generate revenue.

Option A  
It is telling that this plan is applied to another similar hospital in size but there are many other cond which make one hospital different to another. So overall we don't know how it will work in this hospital and if we look carefully it can act as a strengthener because other plans are more expensive.
  Option B  
In this, we are not aware of how willing the staff of Amgudnow are. So how can we know welcoming they will be in accepting the plan?
  Option C  
This is somewhat strengthener because when people will donate money 
 Option D 
This is also a strengthener because the hospital went bankrupt because of mishandling the patients but now after the system implementation this problem has been reduced.
  Option E  
If we read this sentence it only gives us a piece of information about how hospital earns money. Now to understand this option we have to use this two premise above and connect it or infer it. If the plan is so efficient in discharging people and the hospital is not fully occupied, which means there is no problem with vacant beds then how will they earn more money if everyone is getting discharged very frequently because less amt will be generated.

cat2010 · Answer

Down to B and E .....

Though B is out side information it is related and can weaken our conclusion

KarishmaB   Kinshook  Can you please through light ?

KarishmaB · Answer

A strengthen/weaken question uses new outside information so that is not a problem. 
I agree that (B) has some merit though it doesn't imply that the plan may not work (because we are not given that the people in this hospital are unlikely to accept change). We are just given that how successful the plan is depends on how willing people are to accept change. What is the status in Amgudnow is not known to us. Are people willing to change? We don't know.

Option (E) works better because it directly conveys that there might actually be financial losses in this hospital if the system is adopted. Because they mention 'Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged' in the argument so we know that they could have more empty beds there if patients recover faster. Even when you read the argument, you must notice this detail and know that it must be relevant. Otherwise this is an unexpected piece of data to give.

Arnaud6775 · Answer

E says that hospital gets paid PER DAY, so the longer a patient stays in hospital, the more $ gets the hospital
As the new tool will shorten the patient recovery time, using the tool goes against hospital's financial interests

luz770 · Answer

1. Read the question carefully, they are asking "Which of the following casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the plan" 
>> What is the plan? 
>> "The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so are planning to utilize it to its fullest. " 
>> Key Words:  beneficial financially  
>> Confusion part in the question: "It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times." This is actually a fact not an opinion so should not be considered as part of plan.
>> I choose C not E because I did not properly understand the meaning of the question

Harshani · Answer

Let's rewrite the Top managment argument:

1) The new system offers unique methods of administrating the hospital
2) It is free
3) If implemented properly, it will lead to high employee & customers satisfaction
4) it will lead to reduced recovery time (in other words, patients will leave hospital quickly)
___
5) Therefore, This will be very financially beneficial (from 1-4)
__
Optional (6) Therefore, we should implement it

Now, to cast doubt on their argument, means we need to weaken their conclusion (#5 from above). A Piece of information that will make them rethink implementing this new system.

Your argument: 
(1) The hospital is never fully occupied (from the passage)
(2) .............. (the missing piece that can strengthen your argument)
___
(3) Therefore, it is not very financially beneficial (the opposite conclusion)

Prethinking the answer, their conclusion is not valid if:
(1) this new system requires costly training
(2) The new system requires costly maintainance

We can't prethink everything so let's jump to the choice and see if there is anything that we can add to top list:

A) The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow though for most it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, others usually costing high prices for their use.

In other words, the other systems cost more. Imagine using this as a reason for saying to them "it is not beneficial" would that make sense?

(B) Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.

In other words, if staff don't want to accept new ideas, would that make the system not financially beneficial? The Top management conclusion is about money. 
Also, imagine putting this piece of info in your argument. Would that make your conclusion stronger? Not really

(C)Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.
If you put this piece of info in your argument, it will weaken your argument somehow and at the same time, will make the top management conclusion stronger (though it is a probability that patients will recommend and not certain)

(D) The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.
Legal problems are not our case here, we are here to discuss money benefits

(E)Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.

In other words, Regardless of the payment method, hospital services are extremely expensive because of training & are charged per day.

Let's put this in our argument

Your argument: 
(1) The hospital is never fully occupied (from the passage)
(2) Hospital training is extremely expensive
(3) Patients are charged per day
(4) the new system reduces the recovery time
___
(3) Therefore, it is not very financially beneficial (the opposite conclusion)

Fits perfect

Hrley · Answer

A lot of people chose B instead of E. I got E on the first try because with B, it says "completely restructure...". The passage's plan is just to build upon an already existing plan. "Complete restructure", to me, should mean something like changing up the ENTIRE plan itself.

With E, if the hospital in the passage is also suffering from high costs in training its employees, and improving the plan involves improving the training, then of course the plan would not be financially beneficial anymore.

A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the admin

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