Requirements for High Reliability

High-reliability organizations such as oncology and hematology facilities, such as

the organization I work for, provide reliable performance in the face of a sophisticated

environment. Organizations like mine strive to offer a commitment to producing the

highest standards of quality care and patient safety. Nonetheless, achieving a high-

reliability organization is challenging. However, a collaborative effort among staff is

critical to facilitate patient safety a priority through necessary adjustments.

It recognized that adequate staffing and schedules are linked to the HRO, simply

because efficient staffing produces better outcomes. The staffing shortage and poor

scheduling can result in safety issues and potential harm to the patient (Patient Safety

Network, 2019). The essential elements of HROs consist of leadership, safety-focused

ideologies, and a passion for continuous learning and improvement. All of these tools

offer useful insights that strengthen the ability to provide optimal patient care (PSN,

2019).

While staffing and scheduling is complex in health care, as in any organization.

The most effective solution to improve quality care through adequate staffing and

schedule is to work collaboratively and proactively. Our success lies when we can

anticipate and prevent problems before they take place (Gamble, 2013). Our facility is at

its best when we are vigilant, think outside the box, and work as a team. Only then can

are we able to deliver safe care to our patients. However, this whole process is not

possible without effective leadership to cultivate a proactive atmosphere (Chrisianson,

Sutcliffe, Miller, &Iwashya, 2011). The role of a leader is crucial; we faced many
challenges with inadequate staffing and leadership. Our facility replaced many employees

who disengaged and led by an absent leader who was replaced. Our site supervisor was

always distracted and was incapable of foreseeing problems, many of which led to

catastrophes. A proactive approach doesn't ever come easily; however, the leadership in

our facility was unwilling to learn and was later replaced. An organization is only as

active as its leaders. Therefore, HROs thrive when a competent leader who listens,

supports, and learns with the organization and promotes safety and accountability while

facilitating goals that aligns with the organizations' mission, value, and goals (Gamble,

2013).

The nature of high reliability is a set of concepts that empower organizations to

shift their primary focus on series problems and to develop the appropriate resources to

address them as necessary to improve the quality of care (Christianson at el., 2011).

Given the difficulty of patient care in the field of oncology and hematology, the

probability of a medical error, and harm to critically ill patients, high-reliability

organizing standards are promising in our organization.

References:

Patient Safety Network. (2019). High Reliability. Retrieved from

https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/high-reliability

Gamble, M. (2103). 5 Traits of High Reliability Organization: How to Hardwire each in

Your Organization. Retrieved from

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/5-
 traits-of-high-reliability-organizations-how-to-hardwire-each-in-your-

organization.html

Christianson, M. K., Sutcliffe, K. M., Miller, M. A., & Iwashyna, T. J. (2011). Becoming

a high reliability organization. Critical care (London, England), 15(6), 314.

doi:10.1186/cc10360