As noted in the Learning Resources, systems theory provides a meaningful and beneficial means of examining challenges in health care organizations. To do this effectively, however, it is essential to assess all system components, as some may be relatively healthy while others are problematic.

For this Assignment, you apply systems theory to the examination of a problem in a department or a unit within a health care organization. (Note: You may use the same problem you identified for the Discussion as long as it meets the criteria for this assignment.)

To prepare:

· Review the Meyer article, “Nursing Services Delivery Theory: An Open System Approach,” in this week’s Learning Resources. Focus especially on the information presented in Table 1 (p. 2831) and Figure 2 (p. 2833).

· Reflect on your organization or one with which you are familiar. Within a particular department or unit in this organization, identify a problem the staff is encountering.

· Using Table 1 in the Meyer article as a guide, analyze the department or unit, identifying inputs, throughput, output, cycles of events, and negative feedback. Consider whether the problem you have selected relates to input, throughput, output, cycles of events, and/or negative feedback.

· Think about how you could address the problem: Consider what a desired outcome would be, then formulate related goals and objectives, and translate those goals into policies and procedures.

· Research professional standards that are pertinent to your identified problem.

· Reflect on the organization’s mission statement and values. In addition, consider how addressing this problem would uphold the mission and values, while improving the organizational culture and climate. (Depending on the organization you have selected, you may have explored these in the Week 1 Discussion.)

To complete:

Write a 3- to 5-page paper (page count does not include title and reference page) that addresses the following:

· Describe a department or unit within a health care organization using systems theory terminology. Include a description of inputs, throughput, output, cycles of events, and negative feedback.

· Describe the problem you identified within the department or unit using an open- systems approach, and state where the problem exists using the systems theory model (input, throughput, output, cycles of events, or negative feedback).

· Based on this information, explain how you would address the problem as follows:

o Formulate a desired outcome.

o Identify goals and objectives that would facilitate that outcome.

o Translate those goals and objectives into policies and procedures for the department or unit.

o Describe relevant professional standards.

· Explain how your proposed resolution to the problem would uphold the organization’s mission and values and improve the culture and climate. Application: Systems Theory Nursing Paper.

MORE INFO 

Application of Systems Theory in Nursing

Introduction

Systems theory is an approach to organizations that focuses on the links and interactions between a variety of units within the organization. Systems theory is useful for nurses because it helps them understand how patients interact with their environments, which can help them identify problems in healthcare systems or delivery methods. Holism is a core principle of systems theory, which recognizes that everything is connected and changes in one part of the system can cause repercussions elsewhere in the system. The human body can be thought of as a system with different parts that interact with each other, but also have individual needs such as hunger or thirst (which are not satisfied by another organ). Nurses can use systems thinking when dealing with individual patients or groups within larger organizations such as hospitals or clinics

Systems Theory is an approach to organizations that focuses on the links and interactions between a variety of units within the organization.

Systems Theory is an approach to organizations that focuses on the links and interactions between a variety of units within the organization. It can be used to understand how patients interact with their environments and how they are influenced by these interactions.

Systems theory helps nurses understand their role in health care delivery systems, which includes:

• The patient’s environment (i.e., home)

• The health care system (i.e., hospital)

Systems theory is a useful way for nurses to understand how patients interact with their environments.

Systems theory is a useful way for nurses to understand how patients interact with their environments. The patient’s environment can be thought of as the hospital, but it also includes the patient’s home and community. As part of this system, you are part of a web of relationships that include other caregivers and patients.

Systems theory helps us understand how all these factors affect one another; it allows us to see connections where they may not have been obvious before!

Nursing theories are often prescriptive.

Nursing theories are often prescriptive. They can be used to guide practice and predict outcomes, explain phenomena, and guide research.

• Nursing theories can be used to predict outcomes. This is particularly useful when the outcome of interest is not known or does not have an established definition (e.g., mortality). For example, one could use a nursing theory about how people recover from stroke in predicting whether or not they will live independently after discharge from hospitalization; this would allow caregivers or health professionals who care for these patients (e.g., nurses) to make informed decisions based on their knowledge of science-based evidence rather than guesswork alone!

Holism is a core principle of systems theory.

Holism is a core principle of systems theory. Holism means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; it can be applied to nursing systems, healthcare systems and individual patients.

An example of holism in action would be if you were taking your dog for a walk in the woods and then saw another person with their dog run off into the woods for no apparent reason other than that they wanted to see what was around them. You would probably believe there must be something wrong with your dog because it didn’t want to follow you or stay close by as required by humans who have been conditioned from birth not only through their parents but also through other people and experiences throughout life which all reinforce one particular way of thinking about things: that actions matter more than words or thoughts alone (even though those things may seem important).

Systems theory recognizes that everything is connected, and that changes in one part of a system can cause repercussions elsewhere in the system.

Systems theory recognizes that everything is connected, and that changes in one part of a system can cause repercussions elsewhere in the system. For example, if you change your diet and exercise habits, you’ll need to make adjustments at home by replacing unhealthy food with nutritious choices or making time for exercise. Similarly, if you want to improve your health or decrease risk factors for disease—such as type 2 diabetes—you should also consider how these actions might affect other parts of your life (e.g., family members).

In nursing practice this concept applies when we work together as teams: We must be aware of each other’s needs so they’re addressed before they become problems or emergencies down the line; otherwise our efforts will be wasted!

The human body can be thought of as a system with different parts that interact with each other.

The human body is a system with many parts that interact with each other. The heart, lungs, and brain are all part of the human body; they’re just different parts of it. All these parts work together to keep us alive and healthy.

A complex system is one that has many parts interacting with each other—and this interaction can be very complicated! For example: Let’s say you have an old car. It has lots of parts like wheels, tires, fuel tank and engine (the thing that makes your car go). Each part performs different functions in order to make sure you can drive safely—but if any one part fails then everything fails too! In other words: If your car experiences some kind of problem at any point during its operation cycle then there would likely be some serious consequences for everyone involved including yourself since we depend on these things every day whether we know it or not…

Nurses can use systems theory to identify problems in healthcare systems or delivery methods.

Nurses can use systems theory to identify problems in healthcare systems or delivery methods. The nurse’s role is vital in the health care system, and it is important for nurses to know what the current issues are so they can work towards solving them.

Systems Thinking is useful for nurses on an individual patient level and when looking at large healthcare systems.

Systems thinking is useful for nurses on an individual patient level and when looking at large healthcare systems. Nurses can use systems theory to identify problems in healthcare systems or delivery methods.

Nurses should be aware of the benefits of using this approach, as well as its limitations.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of how systems theory can be used as a tool to improve patient care. I have found that it is especially useful when looking at large healthcare systems, because it helps us see the relationships between various units within the organization.