Health Care Environmental Management
In any institution where people conglomerate, a number of health hazards may exist naturally. Such problems have to be identified by a health care professional such as a nurse manager and appropriate action be taken in order to minimize the effects of these hazards to individuals. As such, health care personnel have the sole responsibility of conducting a health care environmental checklist then come up with strategies of appropriately managing the risks. This therefore forms the basis of this piece of work.
Availability of clean drinking water: The common healthcare environmental hazard in my institution includes the common drinking water pollutants. The factors commonly associated with the water pollution include the chemicals such as chlorine, fluorine, lead (originating from aged plumbing with lead pipes.) Amoebas and other protozoa form the microorganisms likely to contaminate water. To address such a challenge as a nurse manager in my institution, I would recommend the water distillation procedures that eliminates the chemicals present and kills the harmful microorganisms in the drinking water. However, this process has its own shortcomings as it eliminates some minerals found in water that are necessary in the body (Shortell & Kaluzny, 1997). In such a circumstance, other water filtration processes may be employed specifically tailored to address the source of the water contamination.
Availability of fresh air from pollution: The second health care hazard identified in my institution is the risk caused by personal hygiene and medical chemicals and cigarette smoking. This includes majority of the cosmetics except for those with non-irritating herbal ingredients that individuals tend to use. In addition, perfumes and colognes fall in this category. Faced with such a challenge as a nurse manager, the critical step I would first have to take is ensuring that air conditioning is properly done by the use of cleaned and sanitized systems in buildings where people meet in large numbers (Muller et al 2006). Moreover, polite notices would be issued to individuals to avoid if not minimizing the usage of strong presumes and deodorants in places where many people meet. This will be done through enlightening the community within the institution of the health hazards they expose themselves and others through usage of such chemicals. Lastly, since cigarette smoke has negative effects to both direct smokers and indirect inhalers of the smoke, I would request the institution management to set up smoking zones that is far away from the areas where majority of the members of the institution operate from (Shanks, 2011).
Presence of a silent environment: The final challenge identified in my healthcare environmental checklist around my institution is the noise pollution thanks to the proximity of the institution to major traffic highways and airport. A reasonable number of individuals who are quite allergic to loud and continuous noise may lead to the impairment of their hearing. Faced with such a scenario as a health manager, I would advocate for the proper construction of offices and patient residential areas with noise absorbing materials.
In conclusion, a good and effective health care manager should be able to identify expeditiously the challenges and probable risks that the members of their community are likely to face and come up with appropriate solution. He or she should take the full responsibility of the health of their community and never shy away from providing the necessary advisory whenever the healthy environment is jeopardized. Finally, he or she should have the leadership skills. By this, a manager should endeavor to foster a positive culture within the institution where teamwork and cooperation are encouraged. These qualities would be essential in making the community understand that their health is under their own control and should therefore take charge in securing it.
References
Shortell, S.M. & Kaluzny, A.D. (1997). Essentials of health care management. New York, NY:
Cengage Learning
Muller, M., Jooste, K. & Bezuidenhout, M. (2006). Health Care Service Management. Sydney:
Juta and Company Ltd
Shanks, N.H. (2011). Introduction to Health Care Management. Texas, TX: Jones & Bartlett
Publishers
