Balancing Competing Needs in Healthcare Organizations

To Prepare:
• Review the national healthcare issue/stressor you examined in your Assignment for Module 1, and review the analysis of the healthcare issue/stressor you selected.
• Identify and review two evidence-based scholarly resources that focus on proposed policies/practices to apply to your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Reflect on the feedback you received from your colleagues on your Discussion post regarding competing needs.
The Assignment (1-2 pages):
Developing Organizational Policies and Practices
Add a section to the 2-3 page paper you submitted in Module 1. The new section should address the following in 1-2 pages:
• Identify and describe at least two competing needs impacting your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Describe a relevant policy or practice in your organization that may influence your selected healthcare issue/stressor.
• Critique the policy for ethical considerations, and explain the policy’s strengths and challenges in promoting ethics.
• Recommend one or more policy or practice changes designed to balance the competing needs of resources, workers, and patients, while addressing any ethical shortcomings of the existing policies. Be specific and provide examples.
• Cite evidence that informs the healthcare issue/stressor and/or the policies, and provide two scholarly resources in support of your policy or practice recommendations.
• Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 7 days to provide you with quality feedback.

  Essay Title: Balancing Competing Needs in Healthcare Organizations Introduction Healthcare organizations face various challenges and stressors in providing quality care to patients. Competing needs such as resource allocation, staff well-being, and patient satisfaction often intersect, leading to ethical dilemmas and policy considerations. In this essay, we will delve into the complexities of balancing these competing needs within healthcare organizations and propose policy and practice changes to address them effectively. Competing Needs Impacting Healthcare Issues In the context of healthcare issues, two prominent competing needs include the allocation of resources and ensuring the well-being of healthcare workers. The demand for resources, such as funding, equipment, and facilities, often collides with the need to prioritize the welfare and workload of healthcare professionals. Striking a balance between these needs is crucial for maintaining high-quality care delivery and staff morale. Relevant Organizational Policy or Practice One relevant policy within healthcare organizations that may influence the selected healthcare issue/stressor is the staffing policy. Staffing policies dictate the nurse-to-patient ratios, workload distribution, and scheduling practices within healthcare facilities. These policies directly impact both patient outcomes and staff satisfaction levels. Critique of Organizational Policy for Ethical Considerations The staffing policy plays a critical role in promoting ethical considerations within healthcare organizations. By ensuring adequate staffing levels, organizations can uphold patient safety standards and prevent burnout among healthcare workers. However, challenges may arise concerning budget constraints, leading to understaffing issues that compromise both patient care and staff well-being. Recommendations for Policy and Practice Changes To address the competing needs of resource allocation, staff well-being, and patient care, healthcare organizations should consider implementing the following policy and practice changes: 1. Flexible Staffing Models: Introduce flexible staffing models that adjust nurse-to-patient ratios based on acuity levels and workload demands. This approach ensures optimal resource utilization while preventing staff from being overburdened. 2. Wellness Programs: Implement comprehensive wellness programs that prioritize the mental and physical well-being of healthcare workers. By offering support services, counseling, and stress management resources, organizations can enhance staff resilience and job satisfaction. Evidence-Based Recommendations To support these policy and practice recommendations, evidence-based research is essential. Studies by Aiken et al. (2014) and Kutney-Lee et al. (2019) have demonstrated the positive impact of adequate staffing levels on patient outcomes and nurse retention rates. By citing these scholarly resources, healthcare organizations can justify the need for policy changes that prioritize both patient safety and staff well-being. Conclusion In conclusion, balancing competing needs within healthcare organizations requires a thoughtful approach to policy development and practice implementation. By addressing resource allocation challenges, supporting staff well-being, and promoting ethical considerations, organizations can create a sustainable healthcare environment that prioritizes both patients and healthcare professionals. Through evidence-based decision-making and collaborative efforts, healthcare organizations can navigate complex issues while upholding ethical standards and delivering high-quality care.  

Sample Answer