Discussion Board Post Response - Essay Example

Response to Discussion Response to Kelly Leonard Kelly, I agree that lack of a standardized process for medications that presented on admission is an example of an unmet need characteristic of many healthcare organizations. Lack of a standardized process provides loopholes that contribute to incidences of patients coupling medication given at hospitals with their own medications or prescriptions. This unmet need necessitates strategic planning as it jeopardizes the safety of patients, nurses, and other care providers.

According to Strubhar (2011, p. 58), "For effective strategic planning to occur, the environment must be scanned for threats and opportunities". One of the threats relating to your identified need is exposing patients and care providers to risks particularly in relation to toxicity due to overdose. Therefore, strategic planning in this case would help in effective planning of care processes and implementation of standardization strategies aimed at preventing negative outcomes linked with self medication in hospitals.

Response to Jennifer Pacheco Long queues in ERs is a major challenge in many healthcare organizations. In this regard, I agree that achievement of optimal waiting periods at the ER is an example of an unmet need. According to Dr. Carol Huston in the media, strategic planning involves analysis of both the internal and external environment in an effort to identify unmet needs (Laureate Education, 2013d). Your assertion that attending minor injuries and illnesses in the ER is costly and inefficient shows an existing problem that ought to be addressed.

Forecasting is also an element of strategic planning. Your proposition that opening small urgent care centers around the county to reduce number of patient in the main ER is an illustration of strategic planning involving looking at the desired future of the organization (Laureate Education, 2013d). I also agree that involvement of clinical staff, board of directors, and the community as stakeholders is imperative for the achievement of the projected outcomes. ReferencesLaureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Elements of a strategic plan model [Video file].

Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu Strubhar, A. J. (2011). The application of an environmental scanning and strategic planning framework in an academic department of physical therapy.Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 25(3), 53–59.