Healthcare Discussion
Problem #1
Almost everyone in the nursing profession can remember a case in which patient admitted in the hospitals fell, or almost fell. The chances of patient fall increase with increasing age of patients and with alleviating weakness and complications. The older patients often suffer from severe harm as a result of a fall. As Director of Nursing for in a healthcare facility, if I am asked by the Joint Commission (JC) to take appropriate precautions and assessments within 5 months, I will make a strategic time-bound plan that will drastically reduce inpatient falls. As per many types of research, creative falls-regulation plans need to have a comprehensive approach that considers both person-related as well as environmental aspects. The most important reforms are to be made within the healthcare facility, related to the infrastructure. This is called the Extrinsic factor. To reduce the number of falls, we will purchase equipment that potentially reduces chances of patient falls, and the following measures will be undertaken.
The hospital lighting will be assessed for senior patient friendliness. The majority of the falls happen due to inadequate lighting. Proper signage will be placed in appropriate areas to show uneven flooring and steps. Color schemes of the floor and steps will be changed if that is the reason for patient falls. Uneven flooring and slippery washroom floorings will be rectified. Senior patient-friendly equipment and safety rods in washrooms will be provided. (American Nurse Today)
There are patient-related, intrinsic factors like blurred vision, drowsiness, muscle weakening muscles, mental problems, body balance issues, and advancing age. In all the above cases, the solution is to keep on watching the patients and offering them timely assistance to reduce falls. Special attention should be given to patients with such ailments to avoid falls. Bed rails and bed alarms can also be provided to make the situation better and to reduce falls. Educating the entire support staff will also be done to give them a better idea to keep the patients safe from unforeseen falls. (American Nurse Today)
Problem #2
Disruptive innovation is considered to be an innovation that changes a functioning system or area by incorporating easiness, handiness, accessibility, and reduced cost where complication and a higher price is the current situation. (Harvard Business Review)
As I am part of the medical arena, I have numerous chances to apply various aspects of disruptive innovation into my profession and in my studies. On a practical level, I want to apply it to my studies. Most of the books and materials are highly expensive and unaffordable for those who are not financially affluent. I plan to have a consortium of medical students who could prepare valuable medical information as a digital document available for everyone. This will drastically reduce the cost factor, simultaneously giving the needed information and knowledge.
Secondly, a disruptive innovation strategy can be used to help remotely located people to avail my medical services. With the technology advancement, a website and an internet connection will permit me to webcast my knowledge to anyone around the world.
Offering medical assistance to remotely located people who don’t have access to a medical facility can be done using skype and similar services. This will help people to avail my services, and I don’t need to spend much for it rather than my time. Even in the third world countries, many people have internet access, but they don’t have access to a medical assistant. This service will be very much helpful to them. Like minded peer group members can also join me in this effort to make this a synergized effort.
Works Cited
"Special Supplement to American Nurse Today - Best Practices for Falls Reduction: A Practical Guide - American Nurse Today." American Nurse Today. 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <http://americannursetoday.com/special-supplement-to-american-nurse-today-best-practices-for-falls-reduction-a-practical-guide/>.
"What Is Disruptive Innovation?" Harvard Business Review. 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2016. <https://hbr.org/2015/12/what-is-disruptive-innovation>.
