The evolution of a new policy in healthcare organzations

[rngreenhorn]

I wonder if the leadership in all hospitals is as clueless and full of *stuff* as mine. They implement some new BS policy, and then they realize it is not working. Instead of really assessing why the policy didn't work, they head back into closed door committee to discuss the BS policy. And because their world view and people management skills consist entirely of managerial theory (learned at conference), and because they specialize in bureaucratic double speak; when they converse about why it didn't work, they don't come to the obvious conclusion: because the policy is BS.

So, because they are completely flummoxed why some brilliant policy they thought of (I mean they used a white board, brain storming sessions, proper meeting techniques, and even took into account group dynamics) isn't working, they institute a checklist (i.e. more paperwork) to monitor the compliance of said BS policy. Guess what Einsteins; the checklists don't get done either. Why? Because it is BS. So, a few months later they send an email saying we are reverting back to the original policy.

[BriRN]

love this.

[Wise Woman RN]

We don't revert back, more policies and MORE paperwork occur.. and this all from people who have never worked on the floor.. Nicely written...

[Aurora77]

I'm new to the healthcare world, but not the working world. I think what you've said is true for every business. Honestly, I think it's a miracle that businesses survive given the craziness that goes on. A friend of mine describes it as "corporate voodoo," which I think sums it up well.

[Zen123]

BS. Lots of BS. Tired of the bs.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Most of it is reactionary nonsense. They heard somewhere someone said and thus, a new policy is born.

I work in the metro ATL area. How many of you have heard the one about the WOW? which isn't called a COW because *supposedly* some patient thought COW referred to her and sued and won some huge some of money.

Having lots of friends at lots of facilities, I get to laugh when every nurse I know speaks with tons of authority: "NO that happened at xyz facility"

"Really?" I say. "Why just last week, so and so at XYZ facility told me it happened at my facility and I know that its not true." lol

I was a paralegal for years before I became a nurse and I can tell you that we used to sit around and wonder who comes up with healthcare policies (when we would sue and be reading them) and they always blame lawyers or lawsuits though the policies would have no valid legal basis and arise from no case that anyone could locate at any time.

Admino people are funny useless people! what can you say?

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

So true I am clapping out loud

[Hooch]

I think this trumps it! Only three weeks ago it was a Policy with a nice shiny title which clearly delineated it as a policy, staff duly recognised and implemented it as a policy, and then suddenly within a three week time frame the "policy" magically morphs into a guideline .

Despite the fact that each nurse is accountable for his/her practice, this Policy was developed by the medical directorate but the one's who are implementing it are the nurses. Now nothing wrong with that I hear you say.

Unbelievably however (but not if you knew the country I was in) it now transpires this policy or guideline was drafted without due consideration to proofing it against legislation, professional standards and guidelines, evidence based practice or professional and ethical conduct.

Add to that the non-application of best practice procedures which clearly stipulate that the development of policies and procedures must involve consultation with all key stakeholders, which in this instance are representative groups of the people who the policy/guidelines is most likely to affect, which is the Patient.

And just when you think they couldn't be more off the wall, these geniuses also think that its entirely appropriate to evaluate this policy or guideline on a bi-annual basis, and this is despite the fact that it is clearly impacting on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the patient.

Sometimes the mind boggles.....

[rngreenhorn]

Most of it is reactionary nonsense. They heard somewhere someone said and thus, a new policy is born.

I work in the metro ATL area. How many of you have heard the one about the WOW? which isn't called a COW because *supposedly* some patient thought COW referred to her and sued and won some huge some of money.

We named our COWs Bessie and Bossie. Confused the heck out of tech support when we called with a problem. We'd have to use code, cause we couldn't use the word COW (OMG, we might get sued). We'd say, there is something wrong with Bessie, she's off her feed and she's not giving milk, think she may have caught a virus. Maybe hoof and mouth disease? Cause of course we couldn't say "mad COW disease."

[boopchick]

So true and SO sick of it,

[mindlor]

I think there are good administrators and bad administrators just as there are good nurses and bad nurses.......there may be in between administrators and in between nurses, which then puts it on me....shall I look at the good they do or at the bad they do? Does the good outweigh the bad?

In a functional organization the admin people, PRIOR to instituting a new policy would have a sit down with the folks that will be affected by said policy and get their reaction.

Guess what, if Admin tweaks the policy, instituting some suggestions from the floor, the floor will feel a sense of ownership and may even embrace the policy....

Bottomline, just as nurses should listen to patients, bosses should listen to employees,

Peace out

[ChristopherH]

Welcome to the real world soldier. I can't WAIT until the day that I am financially secure, because I will be one hornery bastard about certain administrative and bureaucratic practices in healthcare the day that occurs. Not to mention office politics!