Assignment: Application: Systems Theory As noted in the Learning Resources, systems theory provides a meaningful and beneficial means of examining challenges in health care organizations. To do this effectively, however, it is essential to assess all syst

Transitioning from close to open systems.

Healthcare systems are open systems because they are exposed to local, national and international influence. Meyer and O'Brien-Pallas, (2010) defines systems as “as a set of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements that work together in a particular environment to perform the functions that are required to achieve the system’s aim” (p. 3). The problem that I identified in my organization is inadequate resources and equipment which impact negatively on service delivery and the quality of patient care. I work in a safety net hospital, and we only have two EKG machines and two bladder scans in the whole organization. Tucker, (2013) noted that any problem with the supply of the equipment disrupt care and waste up to 10% of nurses’ workdays. Nurses most often leave the bedside to hunt for equipment’s leaving the patient unattended. Equipment shortage can affect employee satisfaction and patient’s satisfaction.

Close system perspective

Open and close are two systems that organizations operate under. It is difficult for healthcare systems to function as close systems because close systems are self-contained and function without interaction from its surrounding. Systems can contribute to or undermine outcomes, such as quality and safety of care (Meyer and O'Brien-Pallas, 2010). With the changing techniques and technology in the 21st century, hospitals need to have the right resources and equipment to perform procedures, communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary teams, analyze, interpret and evaluate data outcome. From a close system perspective, the organization might reject the movement towards adopting new technology which is believed to improve health care efficiency, quality, safety, and cost. Closed systems do not try new perspectives to improve outcome.

Open system perspective

According to (Marquis, & Huston, 2015), a system is considered open if it “exchanges matter, energy or information with its environment” (p. 42). Hospitals or health care organizations are examples of open systems. They produce “health services through practice, health care professionals through training and knowledge through research. In return, healthcare organizations receive money, raw materials, appreciation, and energy from its environment” (Hayajneh, 2007). Every system must have a goal which is the reason for its existence. Examples of such goals are patient safety, quality care, and the pursuit of excellence through the use of new technology and techniques. In an open system perspective, the organization should be able to adapt to changing environments, technology, and circumstances, and be governed by feedback and must value continuous learning and development, creativity and innovation (Hayajneh, 2007). It should embrace changes, provide the necessary equipment needed to do the work, compete with other institutions with the sole aim to survive and achieve excellence.

Improvement of Health care outcomes

To improve healthcare outcomes, organizations need to adapt to the changing environment and use the best techniques and technology available to provide quality care to patients. In our today's health care system, patient outcomes are better than they have ever been, and that is mainly due to advances in technology. No matter how expensive healthcare equipment’s are, it is important for organizations to have the best to achieve excellence.

References

Hayajneh, Y., (2007). Management for Health Care Professionals Series Systems & Systems Theory. Retrieved from http://www.hayajneh.org/a/readings/Systems-Theory....

Johnson, J. K., Miller, S. H., & Horowitz, S. D. (2008). Systems-Based Practice: Improving the Safety and Quality of Patient Care by Recognizing and Improving the Systems in Which We Work. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/advances2/vol2/A...

Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application (8th ed.). Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Meyer, R. M., & O'Brien-Pallas, L. L. (2010). Nursing Services Delivery Theory: an open system approach. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2828-2838.

Tucker, A.L., (2013). An Obstacle to Patient-Centered Care: Poor Supply Systems. Harvard business review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/10/an-obstacle-to-patient-cen...