Healthcare Organization's Systems Theory

Application of Systems Theory

Meyer & O’Brien-Pallas (2010) state that healthcare organizations are conceptualized as open systems characterized by various components including differentiation, coordination, negative entropy, energy transformation, integration, and dynamic steady state. Therefore, systems theory play an important role in the healthcare organization setting. Based on the Nursing Services Delivery Theory, some of the characteristics of systems theory as applied to healthcare organizations include input, throughput, and output factors. Given the application of systems theory in healthcare organizations, this theory provides a valuable and beneficial way of examining challenges in healthcare organizations. This process requires examining all system components of the healthcare organization since some of these components may be healthy while others problematic. This paper demonstrates the application of systems theory in the health sector by examining components of an organization that utilizes systems theory terminology.
Healthcare Organization Department/Unit Using Systems Theory Terminology
An example of a healthcare organization that utilizes systems theory terminology in one of its departments or units is Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska. This 25-bed critical access, not for profit healthcare organization was established in 1974 and is currently equipped to provide care to over 30,000 people living in its referral area (Community Hospital, 2018). The hospital has proactively embraced technology to enhance care delivery processes and patient outcomes. Technology adoption at the organization is combined with employing the most competent medical professionals and encouraging the nursing workforce to pursue continuing education to enhance their competence.
One of this organization’s department/unit that utilized systems theory terminology is the ultrasound department that offers full abdomen, obstetrics, and gynecological services. The use of systems theory terminology in this department is evident in the fact that it comprises several smaller subsystems. Since the organization embraces technology and other components for improvement of healthcare delivery, it is generally a complex system that comprises smaller subsystems. In this regard, the effectiveness of the ultrasound department in providing high-quality care is influenced by interaction between smaller subsystems relating to obstetrics, gynecological, and abdomen services/systems.
Problem in the Department/Unit
The ultrasound department has played a critical role in the ability of Community Hospital to achieve its vision and mission. However, there are inherent problems or issues in this department that can be identified using the systems theory model. While the overall organization has constantly embraced latest technologies to improve care delivery, the ultrasound department experiences some problems with respect to inputs, outputs, throughput, cycle of events, and negative feedback. Hayajnhe (2007) state that inputs in systems theory refer to raw material, resources, and energy. For the Community Hospital’s ultrasound unit, one of the critical inputs is latest medical equipment and technological systems. The unit has outdated medical equipment and outdated amounts of basic and general supplies despite the organization’s commitment toward embracing technology. This department needs the latest digital mammography equipment, MRI machines, and scanners.
The outdated medical equipment has affected the unit’s throughput since the systems limit the ability of clinicians to conduct effective physical examination of patients that result in proper diagnosis and treatment approaches for patients’ conditions. Community Hospital ultrasound departments’ outputs are affected since the use of outdated medical equipment and technology contributes to poor patient outcomes. The cycle of events in healthcare delivery processes in this department are sometimes affected by inefficiencies that complicate the care delivery process. As a result of these factors, the hospital sometimes receive negative feedback from patients regarding care delivery and health outcomes.
Desired Outcome for the Problem
Systems theory can be applied to help address the problem through developing and implementing a desired outcome. Based on systems theory, the organization needs to transform its input through acquisition of latest medical equipment and technology. As shown in the previous section, the root cause of the problems facing the organization’s ultrasound department is the inputs, particularly technology integration. Therefore, by addressing inputs, the other components of the system will be streamlined toward promoting better patient outcomes. In this regard, the desired outcome is cost-effective technological acquisitions that enhance patient care delivery and health outcomes. Barr (2012) states that cost-effective technological acquisitions have been found effective in enhancing care delivery and outcomes in rural hospitals.
The desired outcome would be facilitated by several goals and objectives including proactive adoption of latest technology, cost-effectiveness in healthcare delivery processes, improved healthcare services, and better patient outcomes. As part of systems theory approach in addressing the problem, these goals and objectives can be translated into policies and procedures for the ultrasound department. Organization policies should be established relating to the type of equipment/technology utilized in the facility. In this case, organizational policy should prohibit the use of outdated medical equipment or systems when providing patient care in the department. Additionally, organizational policy should establish measures for regular servicing and maintenance of medical equipment and technological systems. When providing healthcare services, nurses should combine technological systems/medical equipment with clinical expertise and evidence-based practice to help improve care delivery and patient outcomes.
Professional Standards
The adoption of latest technological systems and medical equipment is supported by existing regulations or professional standards. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is adopting specifications of ISO 13485, which is a global consensus standard for manufacture of medical devices (Linders, 2018). Based on these standards, manufacturers are required to develop medical devices or equipment using latest technology to help enhance healthcare delivery. On the other hand, healthcare providers are required to adopt these latest technologies to help improve the quality of care. In addition, the issue is supported by several medical device regulations established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These regulations include Quality System Regulation (Code of Federal Regulations, 2016).
Impact of Proposed Solution
The proposed solution will help uphold the mission and values of Community Hospital through improving the quality of care. Improved quality of care that results in better patient outcomes through adopting latest technologies and medical equipment would help in achievement of the hospital’s core values i.e. integrity, excellence, compassion, and ownership. The hospital will achieve long-term results in each of its four domains (people, service, quality, and finance) through adopting this proposed solution. This will in turn enhance the organizational culture and climate as a nursing environment in which quality care services are provided to patients. Community Hospital’s clinical workforce will experience high levels of job satisfaction and improved morale through adopting this proposed solution.
In conclusion, systems theory is an approach that helps in proper assessment of an organization’s internal problems with a view of developing suitable solutions. As evident in the case of Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, application of this framework entails examining critical components in an organization. These components are inputs, throughput, outputs, cycle of events, and feedback. When applied in the healthcare setting, systems theory provide a premise for examining inherent problems in a healthcare organization’s department across these different components. Based on the findings of the evaluation process, systems theory is utilized to develop solution(s) that would help to effectively address the problem based on the specific component that faces challenges. Proposed solutions are implemented through establishing relevant organizational policies and procedures and are supported by existing regulations or professional standards.


References
Barr, P. (2012, April 14). Rural Hospitals Hope Offering Latest Technology Keeps Patients Close to Home. Modern Healthcare. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20120414/MAGAZINE/304149962
Code of Regulations. (2016, September 27). Part 820 – Quality System Regulation. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from https://www.emergobyul.com/sites/default/files/21-cfr-part-820.pdf
Community Hospital. (2018). About Community Hospital. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from https://chmccook.org/about-us/
Hayajneh, Y. (2007). Systems and Systems Theory. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from http://hayajneh.org/a/readings/Systems-Theory.pdf
Linders, P.W. (2018, July 2). FDA to Harmonize Quality System Requirements for Medical Devices Through Adoption of ISO Management Standard. Retrieved December 8, 2018, from https://www.ansi.org/news_publications/news_story?menuid=7&articleid=b0133fb8-0fba-4978-8442-29b8b04ed791
Meyers, R.M. & O’Brien-Pallas, L.L. (2010, December). Nursing Services Delivery Theory: An Open System Approach. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(12), 2828-2838.