`
How Poor Management Impacts a Patient’s Treatment
Patient care is a complex and dynamic process that requires effective coordination and communication among different health professionals. However, poor management can undermine the quality and safety of patient care, leading to adverse outcomes and dissatisfaction. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that poor management can impact a patient’s treatment, and how to prevent or address them.
Poor Management and Patient Safety
One of the most serious consequences of poor management is the increased risk of patient harm due to errors, negligence, or malpractice. Poor management can create a culture of blame, fear, and distrust, where health professionals are reluctant to report or learn from mistakes, or to speak up about unsafe practices or conditions. Poor management can also result in inadequate staffing, training, supervision, or resources, which can compromise the competence and performance of health professionals. Moreover, poor management can hinder the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices, protocols, and guidelines, which are essential for ensuring consistent and high-quality patient care.
Some examples of patient safety issues that can arise from poor management are:
– Medication errors, such as wrong dose, route, or drug
– Infections, such as hospital-acquired infections or surgical site infections
– Falls, pressure ulcers, or other injuries
– Diagnostic errors, such as missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis
– Treatment errors, such as wrong procedure, site, or patient
– Transfusion errors, such as incompatible blood products
– Communication errors, such as incomplete or inaccurate handover or documentation
Poor Management and Patient Satisfaction
Another consequence of poor management is the reduced satisfaction and trust of patients and their families. Poor management can affect the interpersonal aspects of patient care, such as empathy, respect, compassion, and communication. Poor management can also affect the technical aspects of patient care, such as timeliness, efficiency, effectiveness, and continuity. Poor management can lead to dissatisfaction with the quality of care received, the outcomes achieved, the information provided, the involvement in decision-making, and the responsiveness to complaints or feedback.
Some examples of patient satisfaction issues that can arise from poor management are:
– Long waiting times, delays, or cancellations
– Lack of privacy or confidentiality
– Lack of coordination or continuity of care
– Lack of information or education
– Lack of respect or courtesy
– Lack of empathy or compassion
– Lack of choice or autonomy
How to Prevent or Address Poor Management
Poor management is not inevitable or irreversible. There are several strategies that can be adopted to prevent or address poor management and its negative impacts on patient care. Some of these strategies are:
– Establishing a clear vision, mission, values, and goals for the organization and the team
– Developing and implementing policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines that reflect best practices and legal requirements
– Providing adequate and appropriate staffing, training, supervision, and resources for health professionals
– Fostering a culture of safety, quality, learning, and improvement
– Encouraging and facilitating teamwork, collaboration, communication, and feedback among health professionals
– Engaging and empowering patients and their families in their care and decision-making
– Measuring and monitoring performance indicators and outcomes related to patient safety and satisfaction
– Recognizing and rewarding excellence and innovation in patient care
– Identifying and addressing problems or gaps in patient care promptly and effectively
Conclusion
Poor management can have detrimental effects on patient care quality and safety. It can also reduce patient satisfaction and trust. However,
poor management can be prevented or addressed by adopting various strategies that aim to improve the organizational culture,
the professional competence,
and the patient experience.
By doing so,
health professionals can ensure that they provide optimal care for their patients,
and achieve positive outcomes for themselves,
their team,
and their organization.
Bibliography
1. Alharbi TS et al., ‘The impact of health care leadership on patient outcomes: systematic review’, Journal of Healthcare Leadership 2014; 6: 25–37
2. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Quality of Health Care in America,
‘Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century’ (National Academies Press 2001)
3. Kohn LT et al., ‘To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System’ (National Academies Press 2000)
4. Manojlovich M et al., ‘The effects of organizational culture on nursing professionalism: implications for health resource planning’, Canadian Journal of Nursing Research 2002; 33(4): 15–34
5. Wong CA and Cummings GG, ‘The relationship between nursing leadership and patient outcomes: a systematic review update’, Journal of Nursing Management 2007; 15(5): 508–521
