Policy Formation Discussion, Research Paper Example

Medical management committees have a shared responsibility of improving the quality and effectiveness of health care. (Jennings et al. 2007). Quality Improvement and Risk Management are among the most important committees that can support the role of the organization. (Shi and Singh, 2008)

The Quality Improvement Committee helps developing supportive measures and strategies to manage change and improvement within the organization. The committee collects data and feedback from patients to determine the main development points.

The Risk Management Committee is responsible for identifying and eliminating legal, financial, clinical, organizational and staff related risks. It monitors compliance and checks internal policies that are developed to ensure the safe and compliant operation of the organization. (Longest, 2003)

Policy creation is based on collaboration between different committees within the health care organization. There are some legal and ethical dilemmas to consider before initiating policy changes. Individual policy making carries more ethical and legal risks than collaboration and consensus. Policies should always consider the interest and welfare of all stakeholders. All morally questionable and controversial practices should be regulated and the number of unclear definitions needs to be reduced. A medical practice guideline should be in accordance with the organizational goals, policies, mission, as well as the legal requirements. (Winkler, 2004)

Jennings et al. (2007) confirm that although today’s ethical codes and regulations related to HCO-s are still based on Hippocratic tradition, they have gone through several changes in the past centuries. From the first regulation in England by George Gregory (18^th Century) through Thomas Percival’s moral approach and book titled “Medical Ethics” towards the Government’s intervention into the standard setting of medical education and the establishment of AMA in 1904.

References:

Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2008) Delivering health care in America: A systems approach (4th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.

Longest, Jr., B. B. (2003). Managing health services organizations and systems. Baltimore: Health Professionals Press.

Jennings, B., Baily, M. A., Bottrell, M., Lynn, J. (2007) Health care quality improvement: ethical and regulatory issues. The Hastings Center.

Winkler, E. C. (2004) The ethics of policy writing: how should hospitals deal with moral disagreement about controversial medical practices? J Med Ethics 2005;31:559- 566 doi:10.1136/jme.2004.011023