Posted: September 6th, 2023

As an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)

During this advanced health assessment course, remember the vision is to become an advanced practice, certified nurse – as a NE, NL, or NP. Keep that goal in the forefront of your mind during this course. We will be looking deeper into health assessment, health promotion, and health prevention. Read the article Improving Healthcare by Embracing Systems Theory Links to an external site..

In your future advanced practice role, you will be managing integral processes in the health care system.

· With an understanding of Systems Theory, describe how you will be able to impact an identified system problem in the health care system from your soon-to-be advanced practice registered nurse role.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.

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As an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), it is essential to understand Systems Theory, which is a holistic approach to understanding complex systems and how they interact with each other. Applying Systems Theory to healthcare allows APRNs to identify and address system problems effectively.

One system problem that can be addressed using Systems Theory is the issue of medication errors in healthcare. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), medication errors affect one in ten patients worldwide and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Medication errors can occur at any point in the medication process, including prescribing, dispensing, and administration.

As an APRN, I can use Systems Theory to identify the underlying factors that contribute to medication errors and develop strategies to prevent them. Systems Theory recognizes that healthcare is a complex system, and errors often occur due to a combination of factors, including communication breakdowns, inadequate training, and organizational culture.

To address medication errors, APRNs can work with interdisciplinary teams to implement strategies such as standardizing medication orders, improving communication between healthcare providers, and implementing medication reconciliation processes. APRNs can also advocate for changes in organizational policies and procedures to promote a culture of safety and encourage reporting of medication errors.

In conclusion, understanding Systems Theory can help APRNs identify and address system problems in healthcare. By applying Systems Theory to medication errors, APRNs can develop strategies to improve patient safety and prevent harm. As APRNs, we have a vital role in leading and participating in efforts to improve the quality of care delivered to patients, and understanding Systems Theory is a crucial tool in achieving this goal.

References:

World Health Organization. (2017). Medication Without Harm: WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/patientsafety/medication-safety/medication-without-harm-brochure/en/