HR Issues: Teresa
Thank you for introducing very detailed insight into the important role human resource
management plays in ensuring patient safety is achieved. Oftentimes clinicians and hospital
staff are looked at as the end all be all for reducing surgical errors when in fact it takes the
collective of the entire healthcare system working together to help achieve better health
outcomes for patients and the staff. As you mentioned human resource leaders have a great
deal of responsibility and influence in shaping the delivery of care. This includes what programs
are implemented and how their staff is trained and educated on policies, procedures, protocols,
and initiatives. Many studies suggest that surgical errors continue to occur at unacceptable
rates (Landers, 2015). With that being understood it can be documented that no one person can
ensure that patient safety is met especially during surgical procedures. Cohesive working
among clinicians, hospital allied staff, human resources, and other institutions must all be
aligned and prepared to offer detailed and comprehensive training and education to all
individuals within the organization. According to McConnel (2021), the best time to address a
problem is before it occurs. This goes exactly to your point of healthcare institutions making
significant advances in the delivery of care through strategies, initiatives, professional
developments, and educational training that will bring employees closer to the goal of quality
health outcomes.
Web-based training is quickly becoming increasingly popular in healthcare. Interactive
approaches that can now assess the knowledge of staff allow human resource leaders to truly
assess areas of concern amongst staff and create programs that address these areas. This
means knowing what individuals may lack in the most critical areas of care and offering
educational training that will help advance their knowledge to further avoid errors. Studies on
web-based or computer-based training conclude satisfactory methods of learning (Atreja et al.,
2008). I can validate this from experience within my hospital organization. As clinical case
manager nurses, we are assigned both organizational e-learnings and training that are based
on our clinical expertise as well. These e-learnings are guides to test our knowledge but also
provide up-to-date regulations and guidelines for care that one may have not been aware of.
Web-based training is often available 24 hours a day, is self-paced, and is less disruptive to the
workflow (Wentink et al., 2016). Human resource departments who take time to invest in such
programs will see the efficiency and effectiveness they have in reducing medical errors.
The institution of healthcare should always strive to avoid critical errors that can cost
someone their life. This means physicians, nurses, allied staff, leaders, and HRM all need to be
involved in ensuring this never occurs. Providing the proper provisions, education, and training
is one of the primary functions of human resource departments. Matthew 7:12 teaches, “So
whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the
Prophets” (ESV). It goes to that old cliché of treating others the way you would want to be
treated. If you expect quality care, free of errors for yourself it should be the same for the
patients we serve. “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans
12:13, ESV). Once again thank you it was a pleasure engaging in the discussion.
Reference
Atreja, A., Mehta, N. B., Jain, A. J., Harris, C. M., Ishwaran, H., Avital, M. L., & Fishleder, A. J.
(2008). Satisfaction with web-based training in an integrated healthcare delivery
network: Do age, education, computer skills and attitudes matter? BMC Medical
Education, 8(1), 48-48.
English Standard Version Bible. (2017). ESV Online.
https://www.openbible.info/topics/
Landers, R. (2015). Reducing surgical errors: Implementing a three-hinge approach to success:
The official voice of perioperative nursing. AORN Journal, 101(6), 657-665.
McConnell, C.R. (2021). Human resources management in Healthcare Management: Jones &
Bartlett.
Wentink, M. M., Berger, M. A. M., de Kloet, A. J., Meesters, J., Band, G. P. H., Wolterbeek, R.,
Goossens, P. H., & Vliet Vlieland, T. P. M. (2016). The effects of an 8-week computer-
based brain training programme on cognitive functioning, QoL and self-efficacy after
stroke. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 26(5-6), 847-865.
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