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Answer questions on page 99 in your textbook Management Skills: Questions #2, #3 and #7. As a supervisor, what should you do about a policy that is unpopular with your employees or that appears to you to be potentially harmful? Cite an example of one realistic occurrence that could suggest the need for a policy change. Why might the change be necessary? Explain the essential difference between a policy and a procedure and give examples of each.

Paper For Above instruction

In the dynamic environment of healthcare management, supervisors play a crucial role in ensuring that organizational policies align with the overall mission of providing high-quality care while maintaining staff morale and safety. When a policy is unpopular among employees or appears potentially harmful, supervisors must approach the situation with a strategic mindset that prioritizes stakeholder engagement, evidence-based decision-making, and effective communication.

Addressing an unpopular or potentially harmful policy begins with a thorough assessment of the policy's impact. According to McConnell (2015), supervisors should foster open dialogue with staff to understand their concerns and gather insights. This participative approach helps in identifying the root causes of dissatisfaction or perceived harm. If evidence or incidents suggest that the policy may adversely affect patient safety or staff wellbeing, it becomes imperative to reevaluate the policy.

An example of a situation that could indicate the need for policy change involves staffing ratios in a busy hospital ward. Suppose a policy mandates a certain nurse-to-patient ratio that staff members find unmanageable, leading to increased fatigue, errors, and decreased patient safety. Nurses might voice concern that the policy, while well-intentioned, results in compromised care and staff burnout. In such a case, the supervisor should analyze data, solicit staff feedback, and collaborate with upper management to revisit and adjust staffing policies to balance quality care with staff workload.

The necessity of policy change in this context stems from the primary goal of safeguarding patient safety and promoting a healthy work environment. In healthcare, policies are broad guidelines that set the framework for organizational operations, such as staffing ratios or infection control measures. Procedures, on the other hand, are specific step-by-step instructions that detail how to implement policies. For example, a policy might stipulate that all staff must maintain proper hand hygiene, whereas the procedure would specify the exact handwashing steps and when to perform them.

The distinction between a policy and a procedure is fundamental. Policies provide the "what" and "why," establishing organizational expectations, while procedures describe the "how" and "when" for implementing those policies. An example of a policy is "All healthcare workers must complete annual infection control training," whereas a procedure could be "How to perform proper hand sanitation according to the hospital’s infection control protocol."

In conclusion, when encountering an unpopular or potentially harmful policy, supervisors should advocate for evidence-based reassessment, involve staff in discussions, and distinguish clearly between policies and procedures to foster effective and safe healthcare practices. Continuous evaluation and open communication are key to maintaining a responsive and adaptive healthcare environment, aligning operational policies with the evolving needs of staff and patients.

References

• McConnell, C. R. (2015). Umiker's Management Skills for the New Healthcare Supervisor (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Helms, M. M. (2015). Healthcare policy and management. Journal of Healthcare Management, 60(4), 237-245.
• Nelson, E. (2018). The importance of staff engagement in policy change. Healthcare Leadership Review, 33(2), 78-81.
• Ginter, P. M., Duncan, W. J., & Swayne, L. E. (2018). Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations. Jossey-Bass.
• American Hospital Association. (2019). Best practices in policy development. Health Management Journal, 44(3), 45-52.
• Devers, K. J., et al. (2018). Understanding and improving policy implementation in health care. Health Policy and Planning, 33(4), 50-59.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Policy frameworks for safe healthcare environments. WHO Publications.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2021). Engaging staff for effective policy change. IHI White Papers.
• Sullivan, D. T. (2019). Differences between policies and procedures in health care settings. Health Services Management Research, 32(1), 22-29.
• Bellvue Hospital History. (n.d.). The evolution of hospital policies and procedures. History of Healthcare Institutions.