Question

You are the Vice President of Nursing Services in a nondenominational community hospital, and you receive a complaint from a patient, who is a Wiccan. The patient and her primary care nurse, Penny Baker, were discussing her religious practices and how she prays, when another nurse, Ruth Goose, walked into the room, stated, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch amongst you,” and told Penny not to discuss the “satanic religion” with the patient any more. The patient demands an apology and threatens to go to the media. She feels she has been discriminated against because she is a Wiccan and that her patient care experience was poor during her hospitalization because of her spiritual beliefs. You convene a meeting with Penny and her immediate supervisor, Ruth Goose. Ruth Goose is wearing a large gold cross on her neck. Penny wears no jewelry and is dressed in her blue scrubs. When you ask Penny what happened, Ruth answers for her. “She did the right thing. We don’t have to pray with witches. They worship Satan. It’s blasphemy. What’s next? Human sacrifice?” Penny can’t get a word in edgewise. Ruth keeps repeating “Thou shalt not suffer a witch amongst you, it says so in Leviticus!” What should you do?

Background Statement: What is going on in this case as it relates to the identified major problem? What are (only) the key points the reader needs to know in order to understand how you will “solve” the case? Summarize the scenario in your own words—do not simply regurgitate the case. Briefly describe the organization, setting, situation, who is involved, who decides what, etc. Major Problems and Secondary Issues Specifically identify the major and secondary problems. What are the real issues? What are the differences? Can secondary issues become major problems? Present analysis of the causes and effects. Fully explain your reasoning.

Your Role: In a sentence or short paragraph, declare what role you will address the major problem from, whether you are the chief administrator in the case or an outside consultant called in to advise. Regardless of your choice, you MUST justify in writing WHY you chose that role. What are the advantages and disadvantages of your selected role? Be specific.

Organizational Strengths and Weaknesses Identify the strengths and weaknesses that exist in relation to the major problem. Again, your focus here should be in describing what the organization is capable of doing (and not capable of doing) with respect to addressing the major problem. Thus, the identified strengths and weaknesses should include those at the managerial level of the problem. For example, if you have chosen to address the problem from the departmental perspective and the department is understaffed, that is a weakness worthy of mentioning. Be sure to remember to include any strengths/weaknesses that may be related to diversity issues.

Alternatives and Recommended Solution: Describe the two to three alternative solutions you came up with. What feasible strategies would you recommend? What are the pros and cons? State what should be done—why, how, and by whom. Be specific.

Evaluation: How will you know when you’ve gotten there? There must be measurable goals put in place with the recommendations. Money is easiest to measure; what else can be measured? What evaluation plan would you put in place to assess whether you are reaching your goals?

Answer 1

The identified major problem here is treating a wiccan.The reader here needs to understand completely about a wiccan and his believes and practices regarding health care.It is also an administrator should have a clear knowledge of their practices and how the staff has to respect them and provide care.

The major problem identified is the nurse communicating with the patient about the religious practices and this was dishonoured by the senior nurse being in that designation.The secondary issue being the patient asking for apology and reporting to go to media thinking of the quality of care might be poor because of wiccan practices. This in future can affect the fame of the organization or the health care sector..

The role if the chief administrator plays an important role in the health care sector who can make crucial decisions at thus scenario. The advantage being creating new rules and regulations, can pass order,can supervise the staff and take appropriate decisions.

The disadvantage being staff sometimes has difficulty in communicating freely to their higher authority.

The strength of the problem is even wiccan practices one good deeds they never PR intentionally harm others.

The weakness here is refusal to acceptance of this religion by the nurse and illtrearing the patient.

Some of the alternative solutions are

Training the hospital staff regarding different religious practices of patient

Not to be very personal when talking to patient

A supervisor shouldn't Inform or suggest anything about patient belief in front of them

The main goal here is convincing the patient and assuring him the quality of services will not be hampered or of poor quality to any patient irrespective any diversity.

The evaluation plan is assessing patient for improvement, satisfaction.