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How to set up a policy and procedures manual
Dimensions in Health Service
|November 1, 1980
Summary
Northwestern General Hospital developed practical guides for creating hospital policy and procedure manuals. This resource offers actionable insights for hospitals aiming to establish or revise their essential operational documentation.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Administration
- Hospital Management
- Organizational Development
Background:
- Existing literature often focuses on the necessity of policies and procedures, or provides examples, rather than the practical development process.
- Many hospitals face challenges in creating or updating their policy and procedure manuals effectively.
- A gap exists in practical, step-by-step guidance for manual development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the methodology used by Northwestern General Hospital in establishing policy and procedure manuals.
- To share practical discoveries and insights gained during manual development that can benefit other healthcare institutions.
- To offer guidance on the practical aspects of policy and procedure manual creation, avoiding theoretical discussions.
Main Methods:
- A three-part approach was employed, focusing on practical aspects of manual development.
- Part 1 involved an informal study of existing manuals to establish basic principles.
- Part 2 detailed preliminary considerations and decisions made before commencing manual writing.
- Part 3 provided didactic suggestions for enhancing the quality of procedure writing.
Main Results:
- The study outlines a structured, practical approach to developing hospital policy and procedure manuals.
- Key principles and preliminary considerations for manual creation were identified.
- Actionable recommendations for improving the clarity and effectiveness of procedure writing were generated.
Conclusions:
- The process undertaken by Northwestern General Hospital offers a replicable model for other hospitals.
- Practical insights into manual development can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hospital operations.
- Focusing on the practical aspects of manual creation is crucial for successful implementation.
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