Introduction:
Safety is of the utmost concern in healthcare. Non-compliance with regulations in the healthcare sector can result in severe penalties. Laboratory is one of most vital departments within any healthcare facility. Lab technicians play a key role in making sure that accurate and timely results are obtained. Failure to report, particularly in the most critical situations, could have severe consequences for both the patient and healthcare facility. This paper will examine a situation involving Mike, a technician in the laboratory. We’ll discuss the negative consequences of Mike’s failure to report on the patient and his impact on organizational performance and patient safety. The manager should also address this issue. Finally, we’ll look at the principles of organization behavior and how they can help improve the health of healthcare organizations.
Consequences for failing to report
In the healthcare sector, failure to report important lab results is common. The Joint Commission estimates that communication problems are the cause of approximately 70% sentinel events. (Joint Commission 2017, 2017). Sentinel events refer to incidents that cause death, severe injury, or permanent damage. Mike did not report critical laboratory results for a patient suffering from a heart attack. The healthcare facility and patient can suffer severe consequences if they fail to report the results. The patient’s life could be in danger if the critical lab results are not reported on time. The healthcare provider could face financial and legal consequences if the patient is permanently harmed or dies as a result of the delay in reporting.
Effect on Organizational Performance and Patient Safety:
Failure to properly report laboratory results can lead to serious consequences for patient safety as well as organizational performance. This patient was suffering from a heart attack and crucial lab results didn’t get reported to him on time. Further harm could have been caused by the delayed reporting. The healthcare facility’s quality metrics could be affected if the patient suffers permanent harm or death due to the failure to report. The workload of other hospital departments can also be affected if the patient’s condition worsens due to the delay in reporting. This could lead to increased costs and additional staffing for the hospital.
How to address the issue:
As Mike’s manager, it is essential to address the issue of failure to report. Firstly, Mike should be counseled regarding the seriousness of his mistake and how it could have impacted the patient’s safety. Managers should explain to Mike the importance of reporting critical laboratory results promptly and accurately. You should also identify and correct the root causes. If the problem is caused by a lack in training or comprehension of the protocol then additional training must be given. A manager must also make sure that all staff are informed about the possible consequences for failing to report an issue, and they have the training to properly follow the protocol.
Below-the-surface Aspects That Contribute To Workplace Dilemmas
There are many factors that can lead to workplace problems in healthcare. These include a lack or communication barrier, poor training and inadequate resources. Mike did not report critical laboratory results because he assumed that the doctor had received them already. It could have been prevented if communication was clear between the lab staff and physicians, and if protocols were followed.
Principia of Organizational Design and Management:
Healthcare is complex, dynamic industry. Organizational behavior and other development principles are key to success. Organizational behavior refers to understanding how people behave within an organization. While organizational development is about making organizational changes in order to increase organizational effectiveness (Roussel, et al. 2016). Training and education are two options to help staff improve their behavior and follow protocol. Organizational development can