Admin Philosophy
Admin Philosophy
Public Health Administration is the science and art of organization and co-ordination
government agencies whose purpose is to improve physical, mental and social well being of
the people.
Health administration is a branch of public administration which deals with matters relating
to the promotion of health, preventive services, medical care, rehabilitation, delivery of health
services, development of manpower and the medical education and training. The purpose of
health administration is to provide total health services to the people with thrift and
efficiency.
TERMINOLOGIES:
Definition
“Administration is the organization and direction of human and material resources to achieve
desired ends”. -Pliffner & Presthus
Our administrative experts’ emphasis the need for the formulation of a philosophy of
administration for this would lead to a much more widespread professional self-
consciousness and convinced sense of direction and social justification among executive that
is now characteristic. Marshall E. Dimock is so much impressed with the need for it that he
confidently asserts that administration is now so vast an area than a philosophy of
administration comes close to being a philosophy of life. He points out the following tests of
what a viable philosophy needs to do and accomplish.
It must bring into sharp focus, all elements entering into administrative action should,
then, be integrated and brought into a system of proper and unified relationship.
Where possible principles are developed, it should be borne in mine that they are
valid guidelines to future action under substantially similar conditions.
Administration is concerned with both ends and means. A skillful fusion of the two is
the test of administration excellence.
A philosophy of administration should be conceived in such a way that if not
described reality and provides reliable tool to the executive, it constitutes a grand
total which exceeds the sum of its parts.
A good administrative system should communicate spirit and rounded feelings of
widespread satisfaction.
Administration believes in cost-effectiveness
In the management or administration of any enterprises for organization, the quality, quantity,
timing, and cost of the work necessary to react the objectives of the enterprises are
interrelated factors which must be given constant attention. If the resources of health work, in
trained persons and in finances were unlimited, the need for constant attention to these factors
would not be so great. But the limitation in the number of trained personnel and the lack of
adequate financial resources are major obstacles to greatly improved health in the world
today. We must monitor our resources carefully to accomplish as much as possible with what
we have available.
One of the greatest possible contributors to wastage of our precious resources, whether at the
local or national level, is the failure of those at any level of administration, and at all stages in
the management of the activity, to base all decisions on verifiable facts.
Effective communications are essential for all aspects of effective administration. Staff must
be adequately and correctly informed about plan, methods, schedules, problems events and
progress. It is necessary that instructions, knowledge and information be passes on for
practical application to all concerned, and that they are so clearly presented as to rule out any
misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
Administration must be completely flexible to meet the changing needs of the situation
There are numerous objectives of public health administration. The following deserve
special attention:
Nursing service in ancient times: Introduction to simple nursing can be traced to ancient
civilization. In the book of Charaka it is mentioned that “the physician, drug, nurse and
patient constitute an aggregate of four.’’ Nurse educators and administrators are now stating a
new framework in which the graduate nurse should function.
Influence of Christian era on nursing services: The parable of Good Samaritan is closely
interwoven into nursing service. The Christians applied the parable into their concern for the
welfare of the individual. The attitude of taking care of a person as a patient has continued to
influence nursing service and hospitals.
The ideal of service has been far reaching in the history of nursing service. Nursing service
today realizes that after all nurses are human too, and are entitled to a decent living.
Emergence of modern nursing service: In the 18th century with the emergence of modern
medicine and hospital, adequate nursing service became a prime necessity. The expected
qualities of nurses included her being fit and able to go through the necessary fatigue of her
undertakings, a good watcher, quick in hearing, well tempered, cheerful, pleasant constantly
careful and diligent at night and day, sober, observant to follow physician’s order.
Nursing service within the modern hospital: During 1935 to 1950 social forces had a
tremendous influence upon the development of nursing services. In 1936 the manual of
essentials of good hospital service was published under the sponsorship of the American
Hospital Association and the National League for Nursing Education. This was published to
give recognition to the minimum standards of average patient care. The purpose of the
manual was to set up principles by which nursing services could function.
Administration was concerned with placing of nursing service as a whole in the hospital. The
director of nurses won control over many administrative aspects of the nursing service.
Nursing service continued to be responsible for supplies and equipment and for the
employment and discharge of nursing service personnel. With the expansion of services to
patients, the nursing director was forced to delegate more responsibility and authority to the
nurses of the patient’s unit. The role of graduate nurse in most hospitals became one of co-
ordinating nursing services and hospital services.
Nursing service in a bureaucratic system: The second phase of hospital and nursing service
administration is called the bureaucratic system of control. The nursing service groups were
brought under one line of authority.
The informal relations unite people together and the vertical lines of communication unite the
level of hierarchy. During the system the decisions were made through the interaction of
three groups; the administration, the medical staff and the board of trustees
Hospital nursing service at mid century: During the period from 1950, numerous studies
were performed on problems related to patient care. At mid- century the tradition of the
hospital as the clinical workshop for the doctor was changed to the patient centred institution.
Specialists began working together to meet the total needs of the patient.
Emergence of nursing service administration: The National Nursing Council published its
report ‘Nursing for the Future’ which is known as the Brown’s Report. Brown’s viewpoint
was that nursing service and nursing education should be viewed in terms of what is good for
the society. The report indicated that in nursing service, administrative and supervisory staffs
tend to be authoritarian and nurses had little freedom in taking decisions and judgement for
the care of patients. Little opportunity was provided for nurse administrators to participate in
policy decision making. Brown’s report pointed out the need for sound legislation regarding
the training and functions of practical nurse and other health workers and also stressed the
need for professional and highly technical nursing education and mentioned that it should be
undertaken by universities and colleges.
The study conducted at Teacher’s College, Columbia University resulted in hte establishment
of courses in nursing service administration. The first definition of nursing administration
was formulated- “Nursing service administration is a co-ordinated system of activities
which provide all the facilities necessary for rendering of nursing care to the patient, it
includes establishment of goals and policies”.
In 1962 the progressive patient care plan emerged. It refers to the organization of facilities,
services and staff around the medical and nursing needs of patients.
THE HOSPITAL HEALTH TEAM
Nurses have been accepted in health teams as functionary members, but they have no part to
play in planning and policy formation. But during 1970s nurses were becoming more active
advocates for their patients and were taking steps to personalize health care delivery system.
The factors influencing this change were-
The shift of nursing education from the hospital, setting up of university, made
nursing a more appealing career
The competent nurse with a master degree and adequate experience is articulate and
confident in pressing to implement new approaches in the management of nursing
care.
Women liberation movement encouraged members of nursing profession to recognize
their own worth as person and professional
Nurses who do not believe in collective bargaining process for professional nurses
have realized that it can be used effectively to improve the quality of care as well as
their status and salary
The act is based on our society’s respect for the dignity of both man and his work.
The NLRA encourages the utilization of collective bargaining and are a means of establishing
wages and conditions of work of non- material and non- supervisory employees. It provides a
way through which most healthcare professionals and nurse educators have the right to freely
form or join a union and bargain collectively to meet their goals.
The definition of a professional nurse by NLRA encourages nurses to upgrade effectively the
practice of nursing in accordance with the nurse practice act of their state. This leads to
individual professional accountability to clients and in reconstructing the management of
nursing services in institutions
Peer review and professional standards review organization (PSRO) will strengthen
professionalism in nursing as well as enhance the status and economic interests of nurses.
Peer review of the professional nurse’s competence should be a part of the professional
model of collective bargaining. Under this system on the basis of merit the nurses can be
rewarded for excellent performance.
Strike – the right to strike is defined as the moral and political right of employees to
withdraw or withhold labour in order to gain concessions from their employees
Voluntary arbitration- it is decided by employee and employer, when they make the contract
Compulsory arbitration rather than collective bargaining may be preferred to settle contracts
and disputes. Arbitration of the nurse – employer issues eliminates the need for strike.
Fact finding- both parties agree to call in na impartial person to hear both side.
Now days a nurse functions in a complex environment and performs demanding tasks in:
1. Home care
2. Nursing homes
3. MCH and family planning
4. School health nursing
5. Public health nursing service
6. Industrial nursing service
7. Domiciliary nursing service
8. Rehabilitation centres
9. Mental health nursing
10. Geriatric nursing
Due to newer drugs and antibiotics infections are reduced, acute conditions are treated
and need for hospitalization has been reduced. On the other hand there are chronic cases
which require prolonged hospitalization or require the community health service to look after
the chronically ill patients at home. Due to new dimensions in health services, the new drug
and treatment for prenatal and post natal women are provided free of charge to reduce
maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate. Because of the innovation in medical
science the life span of individuals has increased giving rise to old age problems together
with communicable, environmental and vector borne diseases.
Rural health: Developing a healthcare delivery system for the predominantly rural
population is a newer approach in developed and developing countries.
Indian health service (IHS): IHS is a federal agency responsible for providing
comprehensive health care. This responsibility has a long history originating in treaties dating
from 1784 and further established through laws enacted by the U.S congress. IHS has been
started to provide comprehensive services including hospitalization, ambulatory and
emergency care in public health nursing and environmental health programme.
Industrial strength triage (IST): In this system the registered professional nurse plays a
major role. IST is now a formal programme with well established parameters, a course of
instruction complete with a training manual and a quality assurance mechanism that can
measure proceedings of periodic performance in reference to local standards.
Firstly, when visits and activities are planned in advance, acre will be thorough and more
efficient.
Secondly,to plan healthcare. A client’s major health problems and needs must be known
along with information that is readily accessible by all who provide care.
Third is written standards of care for health maintenance, interventions and the initial
handling of common complaints that ensure consistency and comprehensiveness inspite of
volume
Finally a written plan of action for moving clients through OPD with speed and efficiency
while providing sufficient flexibility to meet the varying demands.
Elements of triage: There are seven elements of triage
In past 20 years the hospice movement has grown rapidly and today thousands of hospices
are part of health care system in US. It is the care of terminally ill patients, this can be
achieved by organizing and incorporating hospice services at local health care delivery
system
Governmental involvement in health care at both the state and federal levels began gradually.
Many historical events correspond closely with the role that has been developed. Wars,
economic instability, depressions, different viewpoints, and political parties all have shaped
the government role. In 1930 federal laws were passed to promote the public health of
merchant seamen and the Native Americans. The social security act of 1935 was a substantial
piece of legislation which has grown to include not only the aged and unemployed but also
the survivors’ insurance for widows and children, child welfare, health department grants,
and maternal and child health projects, Medicare and Medicaid. The most recent debate was
responsible for the proposal of the National Health Security Act of 1993 by President Bill
Clinton.
HEALTH SERVICE ORGANIZATION
At the state level it includes the state Health Ministry, Directors and Joint Directors, Deputy
Directors of different branches of health and medical fields.
The health service organization in the country extends from the national level to the sub
centre level in the remote rural areas. Broadly four levels of health organization may be
distinguished as national, state, district and local.
NATIONAL LEVEL
Nurses are generally not involved in making policies that govern their status and practice.
Most of the decisions concerning nurses and nursing care are made by other people, i.e.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. There is also a nursing advisor to the Government of
India
DGHS
Tutor
ADNS
DADNS
Dist PNO
PHN (PHC)
LHV/HS
Staff nurse
Nurses are required at all levels in the health services i.e. central, intermediate and peripheral.
The nursing personnel may be classified according to type of functions, services and training.
1 Types of function
Direct nursing care and supportive nursing care, intensive care, intermediate,
convalescent care, long term care, home care etc.
Nursing administration
Nursing education
Nursing research
2 Types of service
Hospitals
Health care
Industries
Nursing homes
Domiciliary care
3 Types of training
General nurses
Community health nurses
Health assistants (female)/ lady health visitors
Health worker, female
Midwives
The general nursing course itself is designed to provide in- depth study of community health
nursing and various health components so that students can function as a first level
community health nurse in urban and rural areas.
Area of work is entire district. The district community health nurse is attached to the district
health office. She directly reports to the district health officer and delegates’ responsibility for
all nursing personnel in the district community health field (i.e. in PHC and sub- centres,
family planning, TB and other programmes). In technical matters she is guided by nursing
officer at directorate level.
Duties:
Will have the responsibility and authority under the direction of the district health
officer, to organize, direct and develop all community health nursing and midwifery
services within the district.
Will take part in all relevant discussions of health services in the district.
Will interpret the needs of the nursing and midwifery services.
JOURNAL ABSTRACT:
1. The development and pilot testing of a rapid assessment tool to improve local
public health system capacity in Australia.
Bagley P, Lin V.
BACKGROUND: To operate effectively the public health system requires
infrastructure and the capacity to act. Public health's ability to attract funding for
infrastructure and capacity development would be enhanced if it was able to
demonstrate what level of capacity was required to ensure a high performing system.
Australia's public health activities are undertaken within a complex organizational
framework that involves three levels of government and a diverse range of other
organizations. The question of appropriate levels of infrastructure and capacity is
critical at each level. Comparatively little is known about infrastructure and capacity
at the local level.
CONCLUSIONS: This research indicates that it is possible to develop a tool for the
systematic assessment of public health capacity at the local level. Piloting the tool
revealed some concerns amongst participants, particularly about how the tool would
be used. However there was also recognition that the areas covered by the tool were
those considered relevant.
Erickson HL.
Social and professional paradigm shifts of the 1990s moved holistic nursing
into the mainstream of health care, resulting in the need for national certification of
Holistic Nurses. Given the assumptions that certification examinations are based on the
knowledge, skills, and abilities prerequisite for competent practice in a given specialty,
and that the certification credential tells the public and peers that the certificant has
such knowledge, The American Holistic Nurses Association's Leadership Council
(AHNA-LC) initiated certification processes in 1994. On the request of AHNA-LC, the
American Holistic Nurses' Certification Corporation (AHNCC) assumed these
responsibilities in April, 1997. Since then, AHNCC has overseen the revision of the
first certification process for holistic nursing prepared at the baccalaureate level and
development of a second one designed for holistic nurses prepared in graduate nursing
programs.
The world is getting "flatter"; people, information, technology, and ideas are
increasingly crossing national borders. U.S. healthcare is not immune from the forces of
globalization. Competition from medical tourism and the rapid growth in the number of
undocumented aliens requiring care represent just two challenges healthcare
organizations face. An international workforce requires leaders to confront the legal,
financial, and ethical implications of using foreign-trained personnel. Cross-border
institutional arrangements are emerging, drawing players motivated by social
responsibility, globalization of competitors, growth opportunities, or an awareness of
vulnerability to the forces of globalization. Forward-thinking healthcare leaders will
begin to identify global strategies that address global pressures, explore the
opportunities, and take practical steps to prepare for a flatter world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Mary Lucita. Nursing: Practice & Public Health Administration, Elsevier, New
Delhi. 2nd edition. Pg 3-16
2. Mary A Nies, Melanie Mc Ewen. Community Health Nursing, Saunders,
Phialdelphia, 3rd edition
3. B T Basvanthappa. Nursing Administration. Jaypee Publications, New Delhi, 2 nd
edition, pg 386-89
4. Marcia Stanhope, Jeanette Lancaster. Foundations of nursing in community.
Mosby’s, Missouri, 2nd edition. Pg 25-31.
Sl.no. Topic
1. INTRODUCTION
2. TERMINOLOGIES
10. CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
12.