In the article ‘The Impact of Opening Visitation Access on Patient and Family Experience,’ Nuss et al explore the role that can be played the family members in the healthcare activities. The authors indicate that one of the most realistic ways through which family participation can be promoted in healthcare facilities includes a review on the restrictive visiting hours in the health care facilities. In order to improve the quality of healthcare services strategic collaboration between the patients, expert and the family members is very crucial. Promoting the communication among these individuals can assist in addressing bridging the gap between these individuals that is essential in the service provision.
According to Nuss et al, the imposition of the restrictions on the patient’s time with family members was motivated by the advent of the healthcare policies in the 1960s. The lack of an accurate definition of the level of relations with the patients was also some of the factors that inspired the restrictions. The initiation of the policies was also promoted by the preference of the medical experts in relation to their service delivery endeavors. The sensitivity of some healthcare initiatives is one of the factors that also led to the visitation restrictions.
The authors also indicate that Baylor Health Care system is one of the clinical approaches that can be used to eradicate the visitation concerns in the facilities. The system promotes a consistent and increased access to the patient from the family members. The system advanced the implementation of an open access system-wide approach to all healthcare facilities. Prior to the implementation of the system, the efforts of the healthcare service providers and administrators ware very crucial. These professionals assisted in the provision of the required information that led to the change of the policies guiding service delivery.
Nuss et al explain that the data collected from 13 medical centers indicate that the use of Baylor Health Care System has enhanced the level of service delivery in healthcare. The authors contend that the system has assisted in the change of attitude among the health care staff members and has increased strategic collaboration with the patients and family members. One of the critical aspects of the system is its ability to enhance the relational and communication associations between all stakeholders in healthcare. The information from the sampled hospitals indicates that the system enhanced accommodation and comfort for the visitors as a result of a change of perception among the healthcare staff members. Consequently, a change of the cultural orientations in the healthcare facilities is essential in order to promote a positive change in the organizations.
The nature of the activities that take place in a healthcare organization make it a very sensitive place. Therefore, there is a need to create an atmosphere that portrays safety for both the experts and the patients. According to the IOM report, ‘To Err is Human: Building a Safer health Care System,’ the ultimate improvement of the safety of health services relies on the improvement of the quality of the services. In order to address the issues related to the patient safety, it is important to address their needs. The most practical of addressing patient needs is through taking their values and norms into consideration> embracing the family embers as part of the service delivery and comfort team is very crucial towards the achievement of healthcare quality.
The authors take Baylor Health Care System as a case where the application of the CMS regulations generated sufficient progress in quality improvement. According to the survey conducted, an open visitation system facilitates strategic collaboration through the flow of information that assist in the identification of unique patient needs. Progressive promotion of the open visitation model is very crucial in the formulating the required structures and frameworks for the flow of information.
Research is very essential in the improvement of healthcare service delivery. The research information ids this article is a typical example of the information that can be used in generated best practices that are essential in improving the healthcare services. The information in this article is based on evidence. Therefore, strategic application of the findings and conclusion is essential in enhancing both expert and patient safety.
The core aim of the health care administrators and service providers is to promote activities that are centered on the patients. In acquiring the patient-centered activities, it is important for the experts to maintain observation of the protocols and policies that govern service-delivery. In order to improve the level of nursing practice, it is good to address the needs and the desires of the patient. One of the most common desires of the patients is the acquisition of the comfort of their family members. Healthcare experts should ensure that these needs are considered along the principles that maintain a safe health care environment.
The change of the structural and cultural alignment of the organization is very important towards promoting positive change in the organizations. This can assist in changing the attitudes of the caregivers and thus reducing the resistance to the changes. Consequently, this is essential towards facilitating a smooth transition to the open systems. Promoting tactical communication in the organization through the adoption of the propagative behaviors and policies is elemental to quality improvement.
- Nuss et al, (2014). The Impact of Opening Visitation Access on Patient and Family Experience. The Journal of Nursing Administration. 44(7/8). P. 403-10.
