Securing Support from Staffs and Management of the Organization

Developing an implementation plan
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Developing an implementation plan
Method of obtaining necessary approval(s) and securing support from staffs and management of the organization
For the present project to succeed, it is of major importance for it to be supported and approved by the healthcare workers (HCWs) and senior management of the health care organization. In essence, the key audiences of this project are the healthcare workers in the hospital, the senior management of the hospital, and middle-aged men – those aged 40 years to 60 years – who have Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). These middle-aged people comprise the population who would use the proposed solution. To obtain support from the fellow staffs and management of the healthcare organization, three tactics would be employed: (i) tell them clearly and in an understandable fashion why the change is needed. The justification for the execution of the change would be explained to all staff members and senior managers of the organization. They would be notified exactly why the change is needed and how the change would benefit them, the organization in general, and patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. They would certainly support the change and approve it if they are notified about the reason behind this change and how it would benefit everyone.
(ii) Consult and involve them throughout the implementation and execution of the project. As the project gets underway, it would be very important to involve staff members and senior managers of the organization. Their input and contribution would be sought. If they are involved in the project and take part in it, they would certainly support it and they would have a feeling of ownership to the project and its outcome. (iii) Listen to their concerns and address them satisfactorily. Some health care workers at the hospital may have crucial questions and worries with regard to this project; questions and concerns which if not addressed on time and in a satisfactory fashion might cause them to be opposed to the project’s execution. Therefore, the staff members at the organization would be encouraged to raise their concerns and/or questions about the project, which would be answered sufficiently and clarifications made so that they do not resist the change.
Current problem
OSA syndrome is a kind of sleep apnoea that is very common and usually comes about when the upper airway is obstructed. At the moment, the prevalence of this illness is 2 percent and 4 percent in women and men respectively (Gotkas et al., 2014). This disorder can bring about the following physiologic problems: sleep-related arrhythmias, decreased libido, morning headaches, pulmonary and systemic hypertension, congestive heart failure, as well as altered behaviour and mood like memory and cognitive impairment. If this disorder is left untreated, it could actually lead to stroke, heart disease, and even hypertension (Muñoz-Hernandez et al., 2015).
Currently, middle-aged men aged from 40 years to 60 years who have OSAS are treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This is a non-surgical therapy in which CPAP machines with fans blow air under pressure into the patient’s nostrils (Sahlman et al., 2009). Wolkove et al. (2008) noted that the airflow basically serves as a pneumatic splint that keeps the patient’s pharyngeal airway open. However, this current therapy has several limitations that make it ineffective hence the need for an alternative therapy. Poor compliance by patients is the main limitation of CPAP therapy. Patient compliance to CPAP is poor and lots of patients find it difficult to tolerate the CPAP therapy and long-term adherence is challenging (Victor, 2009). All in all, patients dislike the current CPAP therapy because of the following significant reasons: this therapy causes nocturnal awakenings, nasal dryness, nasal congestion, facial skin abrasions, air leaks, conjuctivis, as well as claustrophobia (Victor, 2009). Moreover, Guiterrez and Brady (2013) pointed out that CPAP therapy has been demonstrated not to be effective in resolving OSA syndrome symptoms.
Proposed solution
For the identified problem, the proposed solution is to use surgical intervention to treat obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Surgical intervention would be carried out in the initial phase of OSA syndrome so as to reduce/prevent occurrences of complications linked to OSA. Surgical operation is recommended as the primary treatment in order to prevent or decrease the occurrence of complications which are associated with OSA. In essence, this proposed intervention is of great importance particularly for those with mild or severe OSA and are not able to stand CPAP. The main kinds of surgical procedures that could be performed in this proposed solution include Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), radiofrequency thermotherapy of the tongue base (RFTB), or a combination of surgical procedures.
Rationale for the proposed solution
The proposed intervention is important since the patients will be able to tolerate it and it does not have many side effects as the current intervention, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), does. Sahlman et al. (2009) reported that even though the current intervention, CPAP, is to some extent effective in managing severe as well as moderate OSA syndrome, it is poorly tolerated by the patients. This is because of the many shortcomings and limitations associated with its utilization. The proposed intervention is thus an appropriate alternative for patients with severe or moderate OSA syndrome who are unable to endure CPAP therapy.
Evidence from literature review supporting proposed solution and reason for change
A number of researchers have corroborated the efficacy of surgical procedures in the treatment of OSA syndrome in various populations. Browaldh et al. (2011) assessed the recordings and symptoms of sleep apnoea in individuals with OSA syndrome 15 years after they had undergone UPPP surgical operation and compared to previous follow-ups as well as baseline. They found a major and stable reduction in median oxygen saturation. They also learned that nearly all the patients actually had cured or improved daytime sleepiness and these patients were in fact ...