Ethical Dillems

Healthcare professionals and the public have increasing concerns about the ability of emergency departments to meet current demands (Huddy, 2002). Increased demand for emergency services, mainly caused by a growing number of minor and moderate injuries has resulted in overcrowded emergency departments (Huddy). I have a vision for our local hospital emergency department to be large enough to provide care without long waiting times In order for my vision to become a reality, I must begin by performing an environmental assessment. In doing so, I find that the emergency department is too small for the community in which we serve. Strategic planning is defined by Steven as the process designed to encompass the organization’s mission (Steven, 2007). The hospital mission statement is to provide the highest quality healthcare to those we serve that enhances life in a compassionate environment (Jackson Hospital, 2009). In order to have a vision, goals and objectives must be set (Stevens). In doing this, the goals and objectives are parallel. The goals and objectives should generate information that can be used by management to make appropriate decisions in order to solve overcrowding problems of the emergency department. The goal and objective is for the emergency department to be large enough to provide care for patients without inducing long wait times. Next, I must install a planning process by identifying strategies or plans to meet the goal (Huddy). The planning process will include adding an area for clinic type illnesses to reduce the wait time in the emergency department. The area can be used for outpatient type procedures such as intravenous antibiotic therapy, wound rechecks, and flu-like symptoms. The area should be open during the busiest hours noted in the emergency department and staffing should also be considered. The first action I would take toward the implementation of my vision for the new area would be to meet with the hospital administration and discuss how the new area would benefit our facility as well as our community. I would also like to include our department heads for ideas to accomplish these goals. After careful review, the group would develop a convincing and trusted dynamic plan for the best practice of our new addition to the emergency department. After completion, I would suggest that we present our plan to the hospital board for approval. Huddy,J. (2002). Emergency Department Design: In A Practical Guide to Planning for the Future. (pp 45-49). Jackson Hospital (2009). Retrieved from http://www.jacksonhosp.com/jh.nsf/View/AboutUs on October 21, 2009. Steven, D. (2007). Care delivery strategies. In P.S. Yoder-Wise (Ed.), Leading and managing in nursing. 4th Ed. (pp 249-266). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.