SWOT Analysis for an Emergency Room

SWOT analysis is a tool typically used by businesses to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats that exist in the external markets. SWOT analysis can be used by hospital administrators to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an emergency room as well as the external opportunities available to it and the threats that it faces. Based on SWOT analysis, administrators can make changes to improve the emergency room.

Strengths

• The strengths of an emergency room include all of the specific advantages inherent in the facility. Examples include state-of-the-art medical equipment, well-trained medical staff and highly efficient processes.

Weaknesses

• Weaknesses encompass everything that is sub-par about an emergency room. Examples include staff shortages, lack of medical equipment or supplies and a deteriorating building. These are internal problems that the emergency room faces.

Opportunities

• Opportunities are external options that are available for the emergency room. There might be government grants available for the emergency room, or there could be the opportunity to partner with a local medical school to gain more staff.

Threats

• Threats are external risks that the emergency room faces. Risks include the possibility of a pandemic that could overwhelm the facility, the loss of doctors to retirement and funding cuts.