What Makes a Good Healthcare System - Essay Example

Policy Project Policy Project Introduction Laws are used by various national and local governmentsas a basis to enact policies that govern societies (Barraclough and Gardner 2007). They are used to control political, social, health and economic resource sectors in the country. The policies may be passed directly or through representatives who have skills of the designated areas better. The health sector has been put in the limelight where the essay tries to identify the characteristics of the policies, legislative requirements, risks brought about by the policies and their impacts to the Curtin hospital the society. Primarily, policies are protocols used to aid in the making of rational decisions since they affect the public. Reason for policy development The first motive for the development of the policy is to stipulate the administrative structure of the health sector (Barraclough and Gardner 2007). The policy shows the protocol that has to be pursued in the making of vital decisions and passing of other rules governing the hospital. It also reveals the bureaucratic processes that have developed to ensure the existence of proper communication channels. It also shows a breakdown of all individuals involved in the hospitals duty of providing health services and other policies that accrue to them such as secrecy and privacy rules. The policy has stipulated what should happen in various projected situations to help in strengthening the relationship bonds between doctors, law enforcers, staff and patients. Information gained from patients should only be used in discharge of duties among the staff. The policy has helped in the prevention of leakages to the public about patients in both public and private health centres. Finally, the act reveals different ways that should be put into consideration before employing and firing of employees. They include qualifications and duties of health officers. As a result, the officers are required to make and tabulate reports on their progress to ensure competency among health institutions. Policies are developed to aid in the regulation of funds in hospitals (Gillies 2003). They ensure the accountability and transparency among health centres as a strategy to prevent corruption and misuse of funds. Additionally, the act also specifies on the funding processes including various the different funding programs. The policy also lays down borrowing powers of individual centres and shows the interest rates charged on health loans. Subsidy policies are also represented in the act. The act prevents the sale of contraband medication to patients (Gillies 2003). Only legal drugs should be available in hospitals lest the officers face legal action. It has also banned the sale of publically allocated medicine in private centres. The hospital deals with increased populations of student patients who have high possibilities to purchase illegal drugs. Finally, the policies have regulated public buildings used as personal dwellings or leased for setting up of new health institutions. In connection to the buildings, the act also stipulates on sewerage and sanitation of the hospitals (Sorensen and Iedema 2008). They should meet the set demands to help in provision of better and safe health services. Risk Management considerations Certain procedures have been considered to help in the evacuation of patients suffering from lethal diseases to ensure public safety. The orders have offered different approaches codes such as lockdown of the hospital that should be followed to prevent the diseases from spreading. Additionally, it has presented various ways that can be used to move patients to avoid outbreaks. An officer has to put into consideration the health of other patients in cases of outbreaks. Potentially risky behaviours by health practitioners are highly prohibited. In the case of surgery, legal actions have to be followed where patients have to sign medical forms that give health officers the right to continue with such procedures. Experts have to monitor and analyse a patient or situation in order to come up with the right risk management controls. It ensures doctors do not take the blame while offering their services. The Curtin hospital will also prevent the risk of being rated the worst in terms of service provision. It will lead to affordable healthcare that can be access by all members of the society despite their economic status. The risk will be managed by attaining subsidized medicinal products and loans from the government. Individual affected by the policy and procedure The policy will pose diversified impacts on different individuals involved in the provisions of healthcare. They include the medical officers, staff patient and the public. It will guarantee the provision of better health services due to the presence of highly qualified doctors in the hospital. The patients will also benefit since they will not be sold counterfeit medications. It will also prevent misappropriation of funds due to audits that will be held in all public and private hospitals. Therefore, the staff will provide detailed reports on the spending. Any loans attained from the public budget will have specified repayment rates and periods preventing cases theft (Lucas 2014). Bureaucracy will help the hospital in management strategies that will lead to fast transactions since it will reduce the time taken in making decisions. Additionally, the public will also be affected by the policy since it will reduce cases of contamination and spread of diseases. Handling patients using the right procedures will ensure the safety. The creation of health related jobs will also lead to better lifestyles. After implementation, the hospital will have various designated post that will lead to more employments. Legislative requirements The law requires that the various policies should be put into practice. They include handling the privacy of patient information. Data gathered from patients during treatment should be stored safely long enough so that they can easily access their information and come to an understanding on the decision making process launched by the doctors. The law explains the privacy act and shows the different ideologies that should not be used to judge a patient nor be exposed to other organizations. The choices include ethnic or racial origins, political, religious and philosophical beliefs (Thomson 2014). In some cases, history of criminal records and sexual preferences should not also be exposed with consent of the patient. Since the policies have to be followed, the laws have provisions that show the punishment that accrues any health officer who does not adhere. The laws also demands equal treatment of patients at the hospital. Despite the high cases of racism in Australia, it has targeted public institutions such as hospitals to help in the reconciliation of individuals (Mark 2009). Informing the staff on the changes or the new policy and procedure Various approaches will be used to cause awareness on the changes in the policy to the staff members. Since the hospital has many employees, it will embrace methods of mass communication. It will use both digital and print media. Memos and notes will be pinned on staff notice boards where they can be accessed by everyone. The acts will also be printed and hang against the notices to give a detailed information on the made changes. Digital platforms such as the hospitals website will also be used to supply the staff with information on the changes. The policies will be posted directly on the website or in individual accounts where doctors and other staff members can easily access. Patients can also access the information after login into the website. Official staff meetings will also be used to provide information to the staff. The meetings take place weekly and are used as strategies to improve on the skills and management of the hospital. Any problems are raised during these meetings. Training and seminars will also be used to create awareness among the employees. Conclusion Amidst the changing trends in the healthcare sector, the Australian government with the help of health and law experts has come up with different laws to govern it (Willis and Reynolds 2012). The laws have direct and indirect impacts on the policies made in various hospitals such as the Curtin Hospital. Policies ensure the provision of quality services despite the profit driven society. Finally, implementation of the law will benefit the whole society. References Barraclough, S., & Gardner, H. (2007). Analysing health policy: a problem-oriented approach. Marrickville, N.S.W.: Elsevier. Gillies, A. (2003). What makes a good healthcare system?: Comparisons, values, drivers. Abingdon, U.K.: Radcliffe Medical Press. Lucas, A. (n.d.). Healthcare in Australia to Face Grave Changes; Report Says Critics Worry Tough Federal Budget May Lead to Take U.S. System. International Business Times. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/552349/20140514/australia-healthcare-tough-federal-budget-system.htm#.U3hbh6BC7_d Mark, M. (2009, May 29). What is health care like in Australia?. denialism blog. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://scienceblogs.com/denialism/2009/05/25/whats-health-care-like-in-aust/ Sorensen, R., & Iedema, R. (2008). Managing clinical processes in health services. Sydney: Mosby Elsevier. Thomson, C. (2014, January 1). The Regulation of Health Information Privacy in Australia. Australian Government National health Research Council. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/nh53.pdf Willis, E., & Reynolds, L. E. (2012). Understanding the Australian health care system (2nd ed.). Chatswood, N.S.W.: Churchill Livingstone. Read More