Systems Theory: Definition, Development, and Applications

Healthcare institutions are complex organizations that grapple with equally complex problems. For these organizations to function effectively and to address all their problems, it is critical to consider all the various factors that combine to influence how they operate. Usually, when attempting to solve a problem, the organizations tend to focus on the problem itself while neglecting other issues that are related to the problem. The systems approach is one of the useful frameworks that the organizations can adopt as they seek to gain a clearer understanding of the problem and other factors for which the problem presents implications.

Description of Unit 

As noted above, the systems approach allows for an understanding of the inter-relationships among different factors in an organization to be understood. This approach was applied to a healthcare institution which primarily serves older adults. The institution’s stated mission is to ensure that all its patients have their dignity restored through compassionate and high quality care. There is a particular unit within the organization that is of special interest. In this unit, patients with terminal illnesses receive palliative care. The main values that drive the unit and the larger organization are respect, dignity, and quality. Using the systems theory model, it is possible to fully understand how the unit functions. According to this model, inputs, throughput, output, cycles of events, and negative feedback are the main factors that constitute a system (Meyer & O’Brien-Pallas, 2010). The table below offers a summary of these factors as they relate to the unit.

Identified Problem 

Hospital-acquired infections have been identified as among the most pressing challenges facing hospitals today (Mehta et al., , 2014). Left unaddressed, this problem can have devastating impacts on how a hospital offers care. The unit described above struggles with this problem. Over the last few months, there has been a spike in the number of hospital-acquired infections. This problem can be linked to the inputs, throughput and negative feedback. The inputs are concerned with the resources committed to the provision of care while the throughput involves the interventions that are adopted. The negative feedback refers to the insights that a provider uses to inform service delivery. It has been observed that the staff at the palliative care unit are not adequately trained to prevent hospital infections. This is not surprising since poor training is among the factors that are usually blamed for these infections (Sun, 2016). Furthermore, the hospital has failed to implement preventive interventions and it does not listen to its patients who have raised concerns about the increase in the cases of hospital acquired infections.

Desired Outcome 

It is clear that if it fails to address the problem of hospital acquired infections, the palliative unit will compromise the wellbeing of its patients. The unit should move with speed to address this problem. As it develops solutions, the hospital should be driven by the desired outcome of the total elimination of hospital acquired infections. By using this outcome, it will monitor progress and ensure that no new cases of infections are reported.

Goals and Objectives 

For the outcome mentioned above to be realized, the hospitals should pursue a number of goals and objectives. One of these goals is enhanced staff training. Training has been identified as among the most effective strategies for tackling hospital acquired infections (Felix et al., 2014). Another goal that the unit should strive to achieve is enhanced patient care and ensuring that all concerns raised by patients and their families are fully addressed. As noted earlier, the hospital acquired infections problem is partly the result of the unit’s failure to respond to the issues that its patients raise. By addressing these issues, the unit will be successful in eradicating the problem. Having developed these goals and objectives, the palliative unit should proceed to convert them into policies and procedures. Regarding staff training, the unit should include in its policy a provision that requires all practitioners to undergo training on the prevention of hospital acquired infections, twice annually. To translate the goal of listening to patients and their families, the unit should establish a smaller division whose main mandate is to receive and process all complaints and concerns.

Professional Standards 

There are a number of professional standards that are relevant to the problem that the unit grapples with. The American Nurses Association has developed a code of ethics which captures the basic standards that should guide nursing practitioners. Among these standards include patient advocacy, ensuring safety, accountability and advancing research (“ANA Code of Ethics”, n.d). All these standards relate to the problem that the palliative unit faces. To solve this problem, the unit must defend the rights of patients to safe and quality care. Moreover, this unit needs to demonstrate accountability by leveraging research to identify the most effective solutions for the problem of hospital acquired infections.

Mission, Values and Improved Culture and Climate 

In a previous section, it was noted that the primary mission of the palliative unit is to restore the dignity of its patients. This unit is also guided by the values of dignity, respect and quality. The solutions proposed earlier would help the unit to accomplish the mission and uphold its values. For example, through staff training, the unit will be able to shield patients against harm, thereby fulfilling its mission of safeguarding their dignity by ensuring that they do not acquire infections which would strip them of their sense of value and dignity. The unit will also be complying with its values since by preventing and responding to the acquired infections, it will be making clear that it respects the concerns of its patients. Additionally, resolving the problem will allow the unit to demonstrate its dedication to quality care. As it solves the problem, the hospital will also be establishing a culture of safety, quality and accountability. A climate where patients feel valued and respected will also result from the interventions that the unit implements.

In conclusion, the systems theory model is undoubtedly one of the most useful and accurate frameworks. This model allows for a clear understanding of how different components of the health care system function to facilitate the delivery of medical services. The application of this model has made it possible for the problems ailing the palliative unit to be identified. It is therefore easier to implement effective solutions which solve the underlying problem. If they are to be successful in attending to the needs of their patients, healthcare providers should turn to the systems theory model for insight and guidance.

References

ANA code of ethics. (n.d). VCU Health. Retrieved March 1, 2019 from https://www.vcuhealth.org/for-medical-professionals/nursing/about-nursing-at-vcu/ana-code-ethics

Felix, A., Gama, K. M., Padoveze, M. C., & Felix, E. P. V. (2014). Impact of a practical training program for hospital clinical staff on prevention of hospital acquired infection. American Journal of Infection Control, 42 (6). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2014.03.205

Mehta, Y., Gupta, A., Todi, A., Myatra, S., Samaddar, D. P., Patil, V., Bhattacharya, P. K., & Ramasubban, S. (2014). Guidelines for prevention of hospital acquired infections. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 18 (3), 149-163.

Meyer, R. M., & O’Brien-Pallas, L. L. (2010). Nursing services delivery theory: an open systems approach. Journal of Advanced Nursing. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05449.x

Sun, B. (2014). Nosocomial infection in China: management status and solutions. American Journal of Infection Control, 44, 851-6.