NURS 6053 IO002 Developing Organizational Policies and Practices Assignment Example

Introduction

Competing needs in healthcare organizations often create challenges that impact patient care, workforce satisfaction, and organizational efficiency. This paper addresses the organizational policies and practices surrounding a primary healthcare stressor, focusing on inadequate risk assessment and health promotion. These issues underscore the need for effective policies that align patient safety with resource management while promoting ethical standards in healthcare. By identifying specific competing needs, analyzing existing policies, and recommending changes to balance these competing needs, healthcare organizations can improve outcomes and foster an ethical work environment.

Identifying and Describing Competing Needs

The healthcare stressor examined in this paper is the strain on primary care, often due to high patient demand, insufficient workforce, and limitations in health promotion activities. Two major competing needs impacting this stressor are poor risk assessment procedures and inadequate health promotion. Risk assessment procedures are crucial for identifying potential health risks among patients and establishing preventive measures. However, without efficient risk assessment tools, healthcare providers may miss critical warning signs, leading to adverse outcomes. Likewise, health promotion efforts are essential for educating patients about preventive care, yet limited resources and competing priorities often restrict the focus on health promotion, thereby impeding preventive care strategies.

According to Kilbourne et al. (2018), risk assessments and screening procedures significantly affect patient outcomes by identifying at-risk individuals and suggesting preventive measures. When these practices are inadequate, patients may face increased risks for preventable illnesses. Additionally, health promotion efforts aim to reduce health inequities and empower patients to make informed health choices. Shahid et al. (2019) highlight that effective health promotion can enhance quality of life and support long-term wellness goals. However, when organizational resources are restricted, health promotion initiatives may be deprioritized, limiting patients’ access to essential information.

Relevant Policy and Ethical Critique

One existing policy within the organization is focused on reducing healthcare expenditures to manage operational costs. While this policy supports organizational financial health, it poses ethical concerns related to patient safety and workforce stability. For instance, budget cuts often translate into staffing reductions, which can directly impact patient care quality. Kilbourne et al. (2018) argue that prioritizing cost reduction over essential resources can exacerbate healthcare stressors by placing additional burdens on existing staff and reducing patient services.

The policy’s strength lies in its potential to provide a financial cushion during emergencies, such as public health crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, organizations with flexible budgets could better allocate resources to manage patient surges (Adams et al., 2019). However, the ethical challenge here is balancing cost-cutting with the organization’s duty to provide safe and adequate patient care. Reductions in the nursing workforce, for instance, may lead to burnout, higher turnover rates, and lower quality of patient care, all of which compromise ethical standards in healthcare delivery.

Policy Recommendations for Balancing Competing Needs

To address these ethical shortcomings and balance competing needs, the organization should consider implementing the following policy and practice changes:

Adoption of Advanced Health Technology for Risk Assessment

Introducing digital health technologies, such as AI-driven risk assessment tools, can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of screening procedures. This approach would allow healthcare providers to better identify high-risk patients and intervene early, thereby improving patient outcomes and supporting health promotion. Partnering with software developers and pharmaceutical companies could further facilitate the integration of advanced risk assessment systems, as recommended by Shahid et al. (2019). For example, AI-enabled predictive tools can reduce diagnostic errors, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions and minimize medical negligence.

Establishing a Dedicated Health Promotion Program

Creating a dedicated health promotion initiative within the organization could support patients in adopting preventive health measures, addressing one of the primary competing needs. This program would focus on educating patients about lifestyle modificati