, Health sciences and Medicine: Improvement Methodologies - Research Paper Example

Research Paper, Health Sciences and Medicine Research Paper, Health sciences and Medicine Improvement Methodologies This paper employed several methods of data collection, analysis, and presentation tools that go hand in hand with its course. The most appropriate method that was suitable for this research is the mixed method of research. It is a combination of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of research. The rationale of combining the two methods is because of the nature of data that was to be analyzed and the audience that is expected to use this data in their future aspects. Qualitative methods are based on explanations and observation of various phenomena in the area that is to be researched (Morgan, 2011). Here, the researcher actively uses tools such as surveys, interviews, and other personal aspects that are necessary for one to harness necessary data. Its main advantage is that it is personalized and customized to fit the research course. Through conducting interviews and surveys, one can get a picture from people’s accounts in a realistic sense. However, the demerit of the method is the aspect of being subjective and biased on various issues. The quantitative method of research on its part is a collection of data that is based on hard facts, statistics and real analysis of the sample population. This method is necessary for this research of medical and healthcare because it gathers data that is vital in predicting the future because of the past trends and phenomena (West, 2014). The disadvantage, however, is the fact that it is expensive and requires in-depth coverage hence takes time and much resources. This research employed both methods simultaneously because of their contribution to the course. Information Technology Medical and healthcare improvement plans have been boosted with the incorporation of information technology in the market. There are several applications and software that have been introduced to the general practice and are placing quality improvement efforts at an all time high. As already discussed, Hazard manager is one of the apps used to gather data that is necessary for analyzing of hard data due to its documenting features. It is one of the elements of IT that have been credited because of their ability to hold crucial data that can be retrieved on later stages of life. There are also several apps that are in the medical market that are used in the improvement of the quality delivery to patients and other stakeholders. These include Alert App that is used to notify and record sugar levels and other emergencies to the patient. This is necessary because it is vital to have frequent checkups on matters about these sicknesses. This research identifies the use of information technology as one of the ways that quality healthcare can be used in various aspects of the professions (Lemieux-Charles, 2011). All institutions ought to incorporate these apps into their systems for ease and efficiency in service delivery. Benchmarking Comparative analysis of any organization is vital because it helps in determining the progress and milestones made during a particular set period. This is the aspect of benchmarking which helps in creating an evaluative nature of an organization and ultimately quality improvement. It stimulates healthy competition in the markets because the players can compare performance with that at the industry level (West, 2014). There are several quality indicators which the healthcare industry has put in place and attached standards to them to govern performance. There are several dimensions of benchmarking in healthcare that several players in the industry use. These include the internal benchmarking, the competitive benchmarking, functional benchmarking and generic benchmarking (Morgan, 2011). Internally, several functions within the organizations are compared and analyzed in unison. The practice necessitates a balanced performance of all departments in the organization. Competitively, peers such as organizations in the same level are in a position to set certain goals and work towards them. Periodically, they can compare notes and determine the best performer while each considers their shortcomings. Functional and generic benchmarking on their parts are used when the people involved have similar standards but in different sectors of the industry. This is vital because the factors that affect one industry may teach another on how to go about challenges. In this paper, the three potential benchmarks that are used include those based on prevention quality, pediatric quality and cost-related aspects. Productivity benchmarks will have the standards of the industry and peers in general compared to this organization over a certain period. Productivity is measured in some cases successfully treated, the level of general output recorded and the positive feedback from satisfied clients. This is the basic measure of the main course and existence of the healthcare facilities for the public. Quality based benchmarks will be tied to the standards for delivery of services, the professionalism employed and the time that the services were delivered. Ultimately, cost related benchmarks are measured on the efficiency of the resources that are used by the hospitals and clinics as compared to their peers in the industry (West, 2014). By achieving this comparison or surpassing the peers in the market, one can easily record that the operation of the organization is optimum. Secondly, the milestones that are recorded can serves as a catapult for improved performance by the stakeholders for the improved benefits of the beneficiaries of the health care system. Mission, Vision, Strategic, and Operational Plans Quality measurement and improvement measures are necessary for alignment with the strategic plans for the future. This is so because all organization’s missions are to provide their services in the most professional and efficient ways. By incorporating the measures on their short term as well as the long-term goals, these organizations can deliver their promise to the people while minimizing costs. Operation plans for any organization are vital because it helps in bringing to life the vision of the organization founders. Working towards such goals requires an active evaluation criteria that require constant improvement of the systems put in place. For Davis Healthcare as an organization, the mission is to offer quality, patient friendly and community oriented services. This signifies an obligation to offer services to clients that are not only excellent but reflective of the image of the organization. Therefore, incorporating the quality improvement aspects into the system puts it in a good form to deliver services to people that it intends to serve. This goes hand in hand with its vision of making the stakeholders who include employees, clients and the community at large. This is the rationale for incorporating the performance to the mission visions of organizations in particular. Challenges/Barriers During the implementation of any noble project, there are several barriers that are experienced. These may be classified into human, social, technological and cultural in all aspects. In this context of quality improvement in the healthcare system, these challenges have been experienced in many versions. a. Social barriers. These include the reluctance of the management to adopt new ideas and relook at the aspects that are obsolete in place (Morgan, 2011). It is human nature to resist change because of the fear of the unknown. Bad attitude and abdication of responsibility by the stakeholders towards some of the actions can spell doom to the aspect of implementation. b. Technological barriers. The use of technology may be challenging because of the frequent update that may come with this aspect. Secondly, some of the technological platforms used can be expensive and costly to maintain. This many mean that extra budgets and allocation of money may be required in the long run. Costs may also come from the aspect of the need to have new hardware and software in addition to experts that may need to be reimbursed for the services rendered to the clients (Lemieux-Charles, 2011). Technology also exposes the company to the potential hacking of its systems and thus put the entire institution in jeopardy instead of helping it. c. Human barriers to quality management come about when there is the poor training of staff and stakeholders that are necessary to man the systems in place. An organization may have excellent skills in place but without proper human resource in place, the system may fail because of this aspect. d. Organizational culture barrier can be an indirect way that can jeopardize the full implementation of the quality measure. This is the way an organization does things regarding HR relations, communication dynamics, and others. Successful Implementation There are four common strategies that can be used to successfully implement the new measures: First, it is the avoidance of mistakes during the early stage phase of implementation. By checking all the systems and the necessary components of the plan in advance, it becomes easy and effective when setting out the foundations of the entire plan. Some of the measures to be undertaken during this phase are; avoiding losing sight of project’s objective, rectification of poor organization and checking of attitudes and negligence by those in charge. Secondly, communication and unity of command in the general direction of the measures is an effective strategy. Because of the complexity of the projects of measurements, correct and timely information ought to be conveyed at all times (West, 2014). This is vital because it creates a smooth operation processes and effective ways of doing things while implementing the project. The next strategy is to measure the progress after a set period. This is an important step because it keeps the projects in check to avoid derailment. Constant updates of the project ensure that the projects are taken seriously, and results are recorded at all times. Lastly, evaluation of the entire project and measuring the performance with the benchmarking is an essential tool that is important in giving the clear picture of the implemented project. In conclusion, this section has discussed various aspects of quality improvement projects. It has discussed the methodology used in collecting and analysis of data. In addition to that, there has been a prudent discussion on the importance of incorporating the measures to the visions and mission. Ultimately, there has been an analysis of challenges of implementations and the best way to go about that activity. References Morgan, F. (2011). Quality improvement in healthcare: Putting evidence into practice. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes. West, J. P. (2014). Implementing TQM in state public health agencies. Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 19(2) pp. 182-205 Lemieux-Charles, L. (2011). Using Knowledge and evidence in health care. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (2004) Read More