The open systems theory as described by Meyer and O’Brian-Pallas (2010) is very applicable in nursing, and its application is important iall the components of the system must be in contribution to the larger supra system. In this paper, I describe the Emergency Department of a hospital using the terminologies of the open systems theory. In the paper, I will also identify a problem in the department, translate it into goals and objectives, formulate policies from the problem, and suggest the desired outcomes through professional resolutions as related to the organizations values and mission statement.

Through the open systems theory, the emergency department of a hospital, also referred to as the casualty department, has the components of the open systems theory as the inputs, outputs, throughputs, cycles of events and the negative feedback. As a full-fledged department, the causality department depends on the coordination of these aspects of the systems theory to function effectively. According to Thompson (2011), an organization has to apply the systems theory effectively in order to realize its set goals. According to Thompson, a good application of the systems theory ensures that the organization succeeds in setting its goals and formulation its policies.

In the causality department of a hospital, there are many elements that act as the inputs. These are the nurses, the receiving staff, the administrators, the counselors, the recording staff, the doctors, the medical technologists and the nurse in-charge (Meyer and O’Brian-Pallas, 2010). In addition, the supplies like gloves, medicines, surgical equipment and other nursing supplies constitute the inputs. Further, there are the resources involved in running the department, as the money allocated to the department every financial year, as well as, the grants. Lastly, the information that the department possesses is part of the inputs.

The elements of the throughput in the emergency department include the services that nurses provide, the services provided by other personnel, and the factors that influence the delivery of nursing services such as technology (Meyer and O’Brian-Pallas, 2010). In the emergency department, technology affects delivery of services into a great extent. If the department does not embrace advanced technology, the delivery of services by the nurses to the patients is likely to be greatly compromised. Other factors like time, the diversity and qualification of staff may also affect the delivery of nursing services as a throughput.

The elements of the output in the casualty department include the outcomes that are influenced by the services provided by the staff. Such include the number of patients attended per time; the standards of care provided, the quality of care and the satisfaction of the stakeholders (Meyer and O’Brian-Pallas, 2010). In the casualty department too, the speed of response to casualties by the nurses and other members of the health team constitute the output. The satisfaction of the clients and the appreciation of nurses for the work services they provide, also constitute the output.

The cycles of events in the emergency department include the revenues collected from the provision of care and the accreditation the department may receive from various quarters for work well done. The negative feedback elements in the casualty department may include the indicators of performance like client’s feedback, performance reports, the quality of care given, the efficiency of care delivery in the department and the efficiency of utilization of the allocated resources.

Problem Identification:

Desired Outcomes:

The desired outcomes for the identified problem would be as follows:

• To have the number of nurses as per the recommended international ratios.
• To have a graduate nurse in every unit of the department

Goals and Objectives:

The goals and objective that will lead to the achievement of the above desired outcomes would be:

• To employ 5 nurses every year
• To replace any retiring, or nurse who leaves the department for any other reason.
• To employ a graduate nurse for every departmental unit in a period of two years.
• To encourage continuous learning for the departmental nurses

Policy Formulation:

In regard to the identified problem, the formulated policies would consider it as follows.

• That the department shall employ 5 nurses every year
• The department will employ a graduate nurse per every departmental unit in a period of two years.
• The department will sponsor at least onenurse per year for further studies.
• The department will replace every nurse who leaves the department for any reason

Professional Standards:

Although California got the credit of being the first state to make into law a policy requiring specific nurse-patient ratios, there are varying requirement as per state to date. According to Aiken et al. (2010), a survey of three states, California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey shows a ratio of 2:1 in acute patients. The emergency department receives acute patients, and the ratio of 2:1 is recommendable. However, Robinson and Jagim (2010) argue that ratios alone may not be a factor to consider when determining staffing for emergency departments. The administrators may consider other factors like the criticality of events and the number of casualties.

Relation to Hospital Mission:

Considering the hospital mission: “To provide quality care to all patients through the application of international standards and advanced technology,” the suggested resolution is very much in line with it. In order for the hospital to provide quality care, it must have enough qualified medical personnel, graduates and the latest technology. The formulated policy is thus, in line with the hospital mission.

References

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, N. D., Cimiotti, C. J., Clarke, S. K., Flynn, L., Seago, A. J., Spetz, J., & Smith, L. H. (2010). Implications of the California nurse staffing mandate for other states. Health Research and Educational Trust, 2010, 1-13.

Meyer, M. P., & O’Brian-Pallas, L. L. (2010). Nursing services delivery theory: an open systems theory. Advanced Journal Nursing, 66(12), 2828-2838.

Thompson, D. J. (2011). Organizations in action: social science bases of administrative theory. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.

Robinson, K.S., & Jagim, M. M. (2010). Nursing workforce issues and trends affecting emergency departments. Topics in Emergency Medicine, 26(4), 276-286.