Question

Evidence Review- discuss what current research of hospital policy? 200 words

Answer 1

It is important for all individuals within a healthcare organization to be involved in the development and implementation of policies and procedures and to have an understanding of what they are and how they are used. Written policies can prevent chaos, confusion, and legal problems. Policies are there so that a hospital decision does not make an illogical, irrational, or possibly, even an illegal decision. Such decisions can have a negative impact through not meeting industry regulations. A policy is a solid set of instructions and determines present and future decisions. It also aids decision making under a given set of circumstances. Policies are usually based upon accepted, well-defined, norms/standards of practice.

Standards are needed to establish consistency, expectations, and patterns for practice. Standards also provide a benchmark for quality measurement and improvement

The importance of hospital policy and procedures cannot be disputed, but the way they are managed best will vary from one organization to another. Finding the best management system for your organization is what is vitally important. Policies are needed because they set a general plan of action used to guide desired outcomes and is a fundamental guideline to help make decisions. The purpose of healthcare policy and procedures is to communicate to employees the desired outcomes of the organization. They help employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the organization. In the healthcare environment specifically, policies should set the foundation for the delivery of safe and cost-effective quality care.

With the continued increase in new regulations and requirements, such as the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, and Meaningful Use, the burden of setting policies and effectively communicating them to the employees has become burdensome.

The main purpose of having hospital policies and procedures is to establish a high degree of understanding, cooperation, efficiency, and unity among employees of your hospital. Another purpose is to provide uniform policies for all employees so that there are no discrepancies.