Module 3 Discussion Diefenderfer
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Dec 6, 2023
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Week 3 Module Discussion
The health service organization (HSO) that I choose was outpatient dialysis centers. This is where
I currently work and can see myself spending the rest of my career in dialysis. I feel valued in my HSO
and the relationship you build with each patient is fulfilling. This is a healthcare field that is ever
changing and will always be a need for it.
Within this HSO, there are several organizational problems I would like to explore.
The first
organizational problem is the current costs which are not sustainable (Himmelfarb et al, 2020). I would
like to explore this further because the current costs for kidney disease treatment are not sustainable for
some people which makes them forego treatment, therefore “resulting in millions of deaths every year”
(Himmelfarb et al, 2020). Health economy also has to be taken into consideration as well as new
government mandates for dialysis.
The second organizational problem is organizational readiness for implementing new
assessments, availability of resources and value fit. (Washington et al, 2018). These innovations will
cover all 7000 dialysis facilities in the USA. Since there is a growing prevalence of kidney diseases in the
US, optimal health care for these patients requires a complex treatment plan. These can be seen as
barriers too.
The third organizational problem is the need for kidney palliative care. Dialysis or transplant may
not be an option or in best interest of certain patients. Palliative care is a conservative treatment for
these patients and “should be offered to all patients who may not benefit meaningfully from dialysis or
whose goals focus on quality over quantity of time” (Schell, et al. 2021). Most Dialysis facilities are not
capable at the current point in time to offer these services to the patients since it is more of an
outpatient type setting. Ethical challenges also play a role and I would be interested in learning more
about this.
Exploring these organizational problems could contribute to positive social change by promoting
health education to individuals with kidney disease as well as the general population. The knowledge
and awareness of these issues can bring attention to legislature to be able to enhance or create new
laws that will impact these patients and their community for the better. Having the patients and general
population aware of the organizational problems can also help fight the disease and advocate for others
in the community who are unable to do so for themselves, which therefore, creates more awareness in
the community and may create better outcomes for the patients and their families while creating
stronger leadership in the dialysis HSO.
Professional Organizations in Dialysis
Among chronic kidney disease and dialysis, there are many renal professional organizations that
support this healthcare field and HSO. The one organization that interests me is the American Kidney
Fund.
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is a nonprofit organization that works on “behalf of the 37
million Americans living with kidney disease and the millions more at risk” (AKF, 2021).
This organization
works with patients and dialysis providers to help ensure all patients have access to health care and
provide financial assistance with insurance premium payments for the patients on dialysis. AKF also
provides public education, advocacy, and professional education aimed at “patients, caregivers, health
care professionals, policy makers and the general public” (AKF, 2021).
Some of the current happenings are Kidney Health Coach Program and a new advocacy program.
The Kidney Health Coach Program is for individuals who are passionate about preventing kidney disease
and enjoy educating others. This is a course that provides tools and resources to host education sessions
and can received feedback on your education sessions.
The new advocacy program is a network
individuals can register to join and help fight kidney disease by promoting health education, offering
financial assistance and fight for policies with state legislatures.
A Student membership to this organization would give insight and background on chronic kidney
disease and help the member understand the legislature and political aspect of the disease process.
With the new regulations on dialysis with the new president, this organization is up front and most
important. We can also network and learn from other members and gain insight on current happenings
that may be relayed here prior to the public.
Any professional association is a benefit to the members through networking. The professional
associations can be a benefit to add to your resume as well as some employers encourage or require the
professional association memberships. I have been a member of several professional associations
currently and in the past and have found them to be beneficial. I gained fresh ideas, strengthened
businesses connections within a certain field, access to more job opportunities and built more
confidence.
References:
Himmelfarb, J., Vanholder, R., Mehrotra, R. et al. The current and future landscape of dialysis. Nat Rev
Nephrol
16,
573–585 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-020-0315-4
Schell, J. O., Arnold, R. M., & Davidson, S. N. (2021, August 24). Kidney palliative care: Conservative
kidney management. UpToDate. Retrieved November 2, 2021, from
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/kidney-palliative-care-conservative-kidney-
management/print.
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation's leading kidney
nonprofit.
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation's
leading kidney nonprofit. - American Kidney Fund (AKF). (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021,
from https://www.kidneyfund.org/.
Washington TR, Hilliard TS, Mingo CA, Hall RK, Smith ML, Lea JI. Organizational Readiness to Implement
the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program in Dialysis Facilities.
Geriatrics (Basel)
.
2018;3(2):31. Published 2018 Jun 14. doi:10.3390/geriatrics3020031
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