Questions:

PART I

1. What are some of the inherent challenges in managing operations?

2. In healthcare we hear the term evidence-based. What does that mean as we manage systems and processes?

3. Describe three ways the external environment impacts a health care system and your ideas to address these issues.

References to use:

https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/about/overview/research-framework/nimhd-framework.html

https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.27.3.759

https://www.hipdf.com/download-file?share_id=4XCAvlLj0-PwqOpb7qqsrQ

https://hbr.org/1992/03/competing-on-capabilities-the-new-rules-of-corporate-strategy

https://www.hipdf.com/download-file?share_id=lc38eTxTgCHj_vYaBR1CwQ

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222274/

PART II Discussion Posts: Reply to their posts

A. What are some of the inherent challenges in managing operations?

There are multiple challenges in managing operations, particularly within the healthcare industry. One major challenge includes the ability to measure costs and health status (Berwick et al., 2008). In a hospital, it is necessary to calculate all relevant costs, despite the fact that in certain care settings, exact pricing or discounts may be ambiguous. This can also make cost projections difficult as well. Another challenge is the increasing advancements and changes in technology. It can be complicated to navigate these changes while ensuring proper compliance.

In healthcare we hear the term evidence based. What does that mean as we manage systems and processes?

The term evidence based refers to the way in which a system is capable of providing services and interventions that are based on the most up to date medical knowledge, and awareness of standardized quality and cost (Berwick et al., 2008). When managing systems, using evidence to make informed decisions and guide processes will help to better serve the population. It is important to use best practices in order to establish a system that can apply and incorporate scientific based evidence and knowledge into health care delivery.

Describe three ways the external environment impacts a health care system and your ideas to address these issues.

One way our external environment influences the health care system is through the physical/built environment (National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2017). The area an individual lives in can impact their ability to access safe and quality care. In areas where health care may be far away, mobile health vehicles can be deployed to help address any health disparities, and improve the health of populations through proper treatment and other preventive measures. Insurance coverage largely impacts the health care system as well by determining the financial aspect and overall accessibility of certain services. Positive incentives can be created to encourage individuals to enroll in health coverage, and employers/organizations can play a large role in providing insurance for employees and their families. Social networks are also a large environmental influence - our peers can play a big role in our overall health behaviors. We can help to encourage family members and friends to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors.

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B. What are some of the inherent challenges in managing operations?

- In managing any operations there are many challenges that are unavoidable. Challenges that impact every level of an organization. Typically these challenges are due to inefficient means of communication that often lead to miscommunication and non-sustainable systems. When talking about non-sustainable systems, I mean that there may be a system that is just meeting goals but, not necessarily meeting goals on its own in an efficient manner.

In healthcare we hear the term evidence based. What does that mean as we manage systems and processes?

-Evidence-based is used to define any process, proposal, or practice that has been proven to improve the quality of a system. The term is used to emphasize the different levels of practice in a way that outlines the needs and necessities of practice while also showing that the practices that were employed work in benefit of the system. So evidence based practice would mean that something is tried and tested well enough to be replicated by another entity.

Describe three ways the external environment impacts a health care system and your ideas to address these issues.

- Three ways the external environment impacts a healthcare system is the inefficient communications between the higher management and the bottom-line, poor reconstruction efforts to meet higher patient demands, and lack of financial support. In Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System by Steven Spear and H. Kent Bowen, one effective strategy is the flow of communication. In a system where communication and over communication takes place, there is less likelihood of any faults in practice. I think that in any large organization communication is like a punishment, it becomes a means of reprimanding a colleague instead of a comfort practice that should be encouraged. Addressing communication issues would allow for more data points. So the more feedback received from every member on the team, the more likely it is to address demand issues before they become an issue. The communication issue would also create a trackable means of assessing strong points and weak points in the organization.

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