Need and Cost Assessment: Transplant House of Lexington

Author

David Freeman, University of Kentucky

Year of Publication

2015

College

Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

Date Available

10-23-2017

Abstract

Introduction

The University of Kentucky Healthcare administration is currently considering the creation and organizational structure of a transplant house. A transplant house would operate in a manner similar to the Ronald McDonald House, meaning that it would house caregivers and patients who have been accepted into the UK transplant program. The questions that this paper sought to answer were whether a transplant focused hospitality house would be cost effective and whether there is sufficient demand to justify offering the service.

Hospitality House Organizational Structure

Two academic studies discussing the impact and setup of a hospitality house are discussed, as well as an overview of several transplant hospitality house models. The two studies use Maslow’s needs hierarchy as the foundation of their work. The first study concludes that Maslow’s needs hierarchy was a sufficient method to standardize the format of a hospitality house. The second disagrees, providing a case study that does not fall in line with the findings of the first report.

The models were taken from three different independent nonprofit institutions. The hospitality houses vary in size and revenue systems and provide excellent examples for a possible University of Kentucky hospitality house. The three transplant houses are the Transplant House of Seattle, the Gift of Life House, and the Transplant House of Cleveland.

Cost and Demand Estimates

The cost and demand estimates provide an analytic look at the potential financial aspects of a transplant-focused hospitality house. The cost estimate is based on the operational budget of the Hope Lodge, a cancer focused hospitality house in Lexington, Kentucky. The demand assessment was developed using transplant volume in order to gauge present and future demand.

Findings

Provided the assumptions i n this paper prove true, St. Agnes House is a more cost effective option than House2Suites. Based on the cost and demand estimations St. Agnes House is $96.53 cheaper per night. Even if St. Agnes requires a $250,000 investment, this is paid off within 6 months. The demand study found that transplant rates are rising 3.3% annually. If this trend remains constant, demand should be sufficient for a transplant house.

Recommendation

My recommendation is UK Healthcare invest in St. Agnes house because it is cost effective and demand is steadily rising. There are many ways to approach developing a transplant house. I recommend a capital campaign that allows local institutions to donate their goods or services to stretch the $250,000 investment as well as approaching previous transplant recipients who have the capacity to donate.

Recommended Citation

Freeman, David, "Need and Cost Assessment: Transplant House of Lexington" (2015). MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects. 224.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mpampp_etds/224