Provision of Acute Hospital Services Free-Samples -Myassignment

Question: Discuss How Efficiency in the Provision of Acute Hospital Services may be Improved. Answer: Introduction Technical efficiency refers to the maximization of profits and minimization of cost in a firm. Allocative efficiency refers to that point that fully satisfies the customers demands with the least possible resources. This paper explores transformational leadership as one way in which both technical and allocative efficiency can be realized in the health centres. Contrast between allocative and technical efficiency In as much as economical or allocative efficiency seeks to use the least possible inputs, the measures are centered on clients satisfaction. In a hospital setting, the marginal point is the point at which patients are served at the level best with the same inputs. On the other hand, technical efficiency is centered on profit maximization. The measures taken do not hold onto the clients needs since the marginal point is the point at which the minimum resources are used to achieve the best outputs. Another major difference between allocative and technical efficiency can be viewed in terms of monopoly whereby in the allocative efficiency, firms are able to set their prices higher than the marginal cost and still meet the demands of the population. As a matter of fact monopolies are the most allocative efficient firms. According to Skinner and Staiger, (2015) technical efficiency is not concerned with monopoly of the market and it is in no way related to clients social concerns. Technical efficiency operates at the firms perspectives without so much consideration of the external factors. Technical as it may sound, technical efficiency seeks to minimize cost and maximize output. With this in place, allocative efficiency measures and policies may exploit the clients without it hitting their consciousness since clients may not probe so much into the inquiry of the methods or approach. Ozcan, (2014) is convinced that it is possible to achieve technical efficiency in a health set up without allocative efficiency. This is mainly because; technical efficiency does not involve the health requirements. It involves the inputs and outputs in the service. Allocative efficiency which is so much concerned with the population distribution and the societal demands and concerns of the individuals of a certain population has to take route of both the inputs and the distribution to ensure that they get to the right clients in a way that is of maximum benefit. Nelson and Staggers, (2017) suggests that allocative efficiency has more returns technical efficiency. If efficiency is examined in terms of profits realized and impact on the society, allocative efficiency is far way above the technical efficiency. This is so because in technical efficiency, the profits almost compares with the cost of production since even labor is highly minimized just to suit the primary needs of production. However, in allocative efficiency, in terms of both impacts and the realized benefits it is higher since it is efficient in meeting needs not realizing profits and returns. Satisfied clients are all the same willing to pay due returns for health services if they are happy about the services. Transformational leadership to improve efficiency in service provision Solanas, et al (2016) efficiency is important when it comes to the running and management of any firm whether profit oriented or not. In hospitals for instance, efficiency is necessary since inefficient practices would put the lives of patients at risk. However, the most important thing about improving the efficiency is that it minimizes works of the management in supervision, it also reduces the work load of the health workers and most importantly it makes clients to receive better services and quality heath. The efficiency in the delivery and provision of hospital services may be improved in various ways. Transformational leadership is one of the most important ways a health institution can boost its efficiency. Leaders are the heart of every institution and the engine that drives all progress. Leaders are concerned with the day to day running of the organization. Good leadership practices affect both the leaders and the led. It gives satisfaction and happiness to workers since they feel that their efforts are appreciated. Effective leaders are able to plan and execute development projects that contribute to the success of the hospitals (Majumdar and Chakraborty, 2015). Transformational leadership fosters moral courage and other transformational tools such as emotional intelligence, intellectual courage and it also helps workers to strictly adhere to the Hippocratic Oath in the health practices. Raghupathi and Raghupathi, (2014) moral courage helps health workers to stand with what is right despite the circumstances. It helps the workers to be competent and avoid all forms of malpractice. These values and principles help health workers in their day to day operations by improving the efficiency of service delivery and interaction with patients. This provides an environment that is both rewarding and reinforcing to both the patients and the health workers and it also works to the general good of all in the society. Barr and Dowding, (2015) explains that it is essential for every leader in a health institution to take up their roles. Leaders whose work is to supervise workers should be keen in ensuring that workers are able to avoid errors in diagnosis, treatment of patients, handling of equipment. The workers should also be made competent enough in order to avoid errors in reasoning which are prone to producing lethal effects. Good communication among the heads will ensure smooth flow of information in the institution. It is clearly evident beyond any reasonable doubt just how professional health workers are faced with various ethical dilemmas in their day to day activities. The way, and know-how of solving these challenges needs one to be equipped with the tools of moral courage. Which will in turn help them to take action and specifically the right action. Many people including the ancient Greeks have tried to define moral courage. Some have it but others can also be termed as shallow backwards and biased. Transformational leadership helps to induce moral courage into the workers (Kobuck, 2015). Ancient Greeks used the term moral courage to refer to behavior at the battle field. Courage in itself can only be seen in situations where death is imminent. They had to conclude that the courage here is the agility of declaring or waging a war without fearing its consequences such as harm, injury or death. However, (Sodeke, 2016) argues that moral courage is an important to the willingness of an individual to adhere to and support ethical responsibilities to uphold professional values. Moral courage means doing things not because there is a reward and not because it is the law of the land but to uphold it because it is the right thing to do. Moral courage is best seen with people who once they face a dilemma decide a course of action based on their ethical standards and then get a decision to the right course of action. In the case of a health professional, Sodeke, (2016) argues that one may exhibit moral courage when one is pressured by a health institution to document patients treatment that wasnt administered or one who refuses to overcharge a patient although there are internal or external forces that he or she is being subjected to. This can be as a result of profit maximization that is exploitative in nature. A health professional may also show moral conduct by refusing to engage in an investigation that is targeted to release some harmful disease in the community in order to benefit from treating the same. Most scholars have however proves that this virtue requires to be worked upon. Others still ask whether moral courage is learnable. The strategies include open discussions, case studies and open life examples and rehearsals. This may require a never ending commitment and a careful reflection of moral behaviors. It is of importance that some of the healthcare organizations however recognize the importance of ethical principles to solve health and professional dilemmas that pose a threat on personal qualities and discipline of the profession. It is of utmost importance to demonstrate moral courage in a clinical setting when one is faced with a challenge of ethical importance (LaSala, 2010). Individuals should be well familiar with all conduct that can disrupt the moral upright individual actions. All health care workers should have the power to appreciate their fellow workers who are determined to stand firm and embrace professional moral courage. Those organizations that dont embrace moral courage should also start so as to develop workers of integrity who shall live with the right moral values even in the face of opposition. Cylus, Papanicolas and Smith (2015) leaders should also be concerned with improvement of information and communication technology is another very important milestone in the improvement of efficiency and delivery of acute services. Improvement of ICT revolves about improving and maintaining good and sound communication between the health officials and the patients. Sound communication systems prevent misinformation between the clients and the doctors. This ensures that sound medication advice gets to the patients in good time. It also helps the patients to consult the doctors regularly since they can gain access to their services. Information communication technology also helps in the improvement of record keeping and information management system. Sound information management systems and record keeping is important for both health workers and the patients since it makes the available information easily accessible which makes it useful in day to day operations. It saves time and also economizes on space since no bulky files are used to store data. Electronic data is also important information management system since it ensures security of health records. Transformational leaders ensure safe records keeping and privacy of patients information which is consistent with the legal procedures of health keeping. Electronic data helps the health workers to attain these standards. Easily available information is used as a standard for reference in the treatment of similar disorders. Modern methods of health keeping however require competent and skilled workers in order to be consistent with modern technological advancements. Efficient data management system is also important for patients with chronic illnesses since they can easily keep track of their health history and progress. Leaders should purchase competent and consistent technology in the medical in order to improve efficiency in the provision of acute services. New and modern technology is important in detection of diseases and looking for cure of available diseases. The available post modern innovations include the positron emission tomography which is essential in the detection and treatment of cancerous cells. Professionals have also used the functional magnetic resonance imaging which is able to detect the brain functions and helps to identify malfunctions and disorders so associated to the brain. The improvement of imaging techniques has further improved the observation of clinical disorders and it has led to sound conclusions in the treatment of the various infections (Hall, 2014). Good leaders help to advance technological advancements. Technological advancements in the medical field are also important in that they provide the necessary information for research, inquiry and learning. This not only improves provision of services to patients but it also improves learning and research to medical students and health practitioners willing to perform research in various fields. Caution is however necessary on the handling and use of up to date machinery and equipments since some such as cosmic rays may cause harm to the health workers. Page, (2014) argues that boosting the productivity of workers is also essential in the improvement of efficiency in the production of acute services. There are several ways in which the productivity of workers can be boosted. One of them is improving the working conditions of workers and addressing some of the challenges that they face directly. When workers are happy, they are likely to provide better services and also leave happy clients. Andersen, et al (2013: 56) satisfied workers are likely to misplace aggression on the patients which makes the patients to suffer. Transformational leaders mind the welfare of their workers. Minding the social welfare of workers makes them happy and more willing to serve especially in the health sector. The management should also carry out activities that not only reflect the clients but also tackle the challenges that face workers such as space of operation, tools of service, working hours and good salaries, due payments and automation of the possible operations in order to reduce the work load. In conclusion, (Groves, et al 2016) technical and allocative efficiency is best realized when leaders are passionate and willing to further development for the common good of the people and the society at large. Transformational leadership, along with mental courage are both very important tools of ensuring that efficiency is realized in a hospital setting. References Andersen, R.M., Davidson, P.L. and Baumeister, S.E., 2013. Improving access to care.Changing the US health care system: Key issues in health services policy and management, pp.33-69. 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