week 2 assignment - Systems Theory James Kallickal Walden...

Systems Theory
James Kallickal
Walden University
Interprofessional Organizational and System Leadership
NURS 6053
March 9 2017

Systems Theory
Systems Theory refers to a theory of science that concentrates on the wholeness of the situation.
Over the year nursing theorists have utilized the system theory in nursing organizational patters
and nursing research(Gillies,2010). A systems theory can be useful in the understanding of the
different input and output processes in the health care sector(Gillies,2010).
Generally, there are two types of systems that are used, an open-system approach and a closed
system approach. Open system is widely thought of as a more useful and productive way to go
because it utilizes the resources available to the full extend to increase the productivity of the
system(Gillies,2010).
The goal of this paper is to identify one of the problems that is prevalent in the workplace, and
address it using a systems theory approach. This paper will include the different aspects of the
systems theory like the inputs, throughputs, output, cycle of events and the negative feedback
related to the problem being discussed in this paper. The problem will be addressed and
interventions will be proposed to meet the desire outcome for the situation using the systems
theory.
The Observation Unit in the Emergency Room
Input
This paper will focus on this unit, its input is as follows: it is a 12-bed unit usually staffed with 2
Registered Nurse, a Charge nurse and an LVN or PCA. The unit is also managed in congruence
with another floor by the floor Director and the manager. Medical support for the unit includes a
hospitalist staff and his or her nurse practitioner, and the resident doctors for the teaching group
of the hospital who admit their patients here. Accessory staff include the respiratory therapist and

social worker and case manager for the unit. The nursing duty is to provide quick efficient care
while management of the admission and discharge process of the patients. This unit is an
observation unit to decrease the throughput for the emergency room, and to facilitate more
accommodation for the ER. It has a very high turnover ratio of patients who cannot stay for more