Module 2 - Systems Theory

Systems Theory

Resources

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AHRQ-Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2009). 10 patient safety tips for hospitals.               

             AHRQ Publications No.08-POO3. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/10tips.htm

Synthesis: This is a must read, essential article for any healthcare worker, from administration to bedside caregiver to read as it deals with the most common safety risks faced by patients in a hospital and how workers can help minimize these risks. All caregivers and non caregivers should be keeping the patient's safety at the top of the priority list.

Rating - 4   Contains essential, informative information for all healthcare workers, bedside caregiver or
                   not. 

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Jones, B.L. (2002).  Systems Theory. [PowerPoint slides]. Jones Health Care Consulting for

            the National Consortium on Health Science and Technology Education. Retrieved from              

            www.blackboard.ecu.edu

Synthesis: This presentation helps clarify the various levels of healthcare services a patient may transition through during their care period as well as clarifying the regulatory and payment entities. This is an excellent resource for new nurses or providers returning to the workforce or entering it for the first time. This resource also provides an excellent example of the delicate balance between quality and cost,  customer service and the importance of ongoing quality monitoring. Additionally, the presentation expands upon the dynamics of teamwork and the important role good teamwork plays in quality healthcare delivery.

Rating - 4  Contains a great deal of essential information in a simple to understand format. 

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Joynt, J., & Kimball, B. (2008). Innovative care delivery models: Identifying new models

that effectively leverage nurses. Retrieved from Health Workforce Solutions LLC:                           

http://www.innovativecaremodels.com/docs/HWS-RWJF-CDM-White-Paper.pdf                       

Synthesis: This article is more geared toward advance practice nurses and the roles they play in cost saving measures and leading improvements in patient care, even bringing care beyond the walls of the hospital and into the patient home. A good read for information on new trial models of patient care being investigated and developed. 

Rating - 2  Informative, but very little information readily useable for most practicing caregivers.

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Pfeffer, J., Sutton, R.I. (2006).  Evidence based management. Harvard Business Review. 

1-13. Retrieved from blackboard.ecu.edu

Synthesis: Initially, this is an interesting article, with good encouragement of employee appreciation and involvement, but has less information as it relates to healthcare. In fact, this article seems to take the medical concept of evidence based practice and applies it to business models. I found this article to be a bit longwinded with little relation to current healthcare evidence based practice.

Rating - 2  Information overload, very little relevant medical information.

_________________________________________________________________________________ Reflection:
Systems theory explains the systematic pattern of healthcare services and the feedback loop that reinforces the ongoing activity. By understanding each step of the process, the provider can better understand where processes are breaking down, have failed or are succeeding.