Part of the ethical and fiscal responsibility of a healthcare organization (HCA) is to be a good steward of resources, but HCAs may not connect their daily operations to this responsibility. Choose a specific type of healthcare organization for this assignment, such as a hospital, mental/behavioral health facility, long-term care, or surgery center. Generate a list of a healthcare administrator’s daily activities that could be considered part of this obligation. For example, waste management can be seen as just a business practice, but it has a larger impact. Provide examples and discuss ways that can improve administrators’ level of social responsibility in their daily operations. Consider real or potential ethical issues that may impact some of these daily activities as you write this list.
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
- Be three to four pages in length, not including the cover or reference pages.
- Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements.
- Support your analysis by referencing and citing at least three credible sources other than the course textbooks, readings, or lecture. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to find these references.
- Use headings to organize your work.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Healthcare organizations have an ethical and fiscal responsibility to be good stewards of resources while providing optimum care to their patients. In this assignment, we will choose a specific type of healthcare organization and generate a list of daily activities that a healthcare administrator could do to fulfill this obligation. We will also discuss ways to improve their level of social responsibility and any ethical issues that could impact these activities.
Answer:
As a mental/behavioral health facility healthcare administrator, there are several daily activities that could be performed to fulfill the obligation of being a good steward of resources. Some of these activities include:
1. Waste Management: Proper disposal of medical waste is crucial to prevent environmental pollution. A healthcare administrator can implement policies on how to dispose of medical waste and educate staff on proper disposal practices.
2. Energy Conservation: Conserving energy is crucial to reduce the organization’s environmental impact and improve cost savings. Administrators can encourage their staff to turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use, install energy-efficient light bulbs, and use renewable energy sources.
3. Equipment Maintenance: Regular equipment maintenance can increase the lifespan of equipment and prevent frequent replacements. Administrators can ensure that equipment undergoes consistent maintenance checks to avoid unexpected breakdowns or system failures.
4. Procurement and Inventory Management: Implementing strategies to reduce unnecessary stock of medical items in inventory or bulk purchase can help reduce storage costs and prevent waste due to expiration or obsolescence.
5. Staff Training and Development: Administrators can train staff on responsible usage of resources, such as turning off equipment when not in use, printing on both sides of a paper, and identifying and preventing system leaks.
Improving social responsibility can be achieved by encouraging staff to participate in environmental or community initiatives. As a healthcare administrator, one can facilitate partnerships with local organizations to promote environmental sustainability initiatives or support community health programs.
Some ethical issues that could impact daily operations include resource allocation, patient confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. Administrators must ensure that resources are allocated fairly to benefit patients and the organization. They must also maintain confidentiality in patient care and protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure. Conflicts of interest may arise where administrators’ decisions could favor their personal interests. They must avoid such conflicts and ensure that their decisions are in the best interests of the organization and its patients.
In conclusion, healthcare administrators in mental/behavioral health facilities have an ethical and fiscal responsibility to be good stewards of resources. By implementing policies and practices to reduce waste, conserve energy, and maintain equipment, administrators can fulfill their obligation. They can also encourage staff to participate in environmental or community initiatives to improve social responsibility. Administrators must be aware of ethical issues and ensure that their decisions are fair and in the best interest of the organization and its patients.
