Committees Prepared by Nursing Administration Department Staff Discussion

Committees Prepared by : Nursing Administration Department Staff

Discussion Rules

Objectives at the end of this lecture the student will be able to: 1. Define the committee 2. Explain the committee functions 3. Enumerate the elements of committee 4. Differentiate between different type of committees 5. Criticize the hospital committees 6. Evaluate the individual committee members' responsibilities 7. List a committee chairperson's duties 8. Compare between advantages and disadvantages of committees 9. Explain the role of management committee in the organization.

Outlines 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Introduction Definition of committee Purpose of committee Benefits of committee Committee functions Elements of committee Types of committees Hospital committees Individual committee members' responsibilities A committee chairperson's duties Advantages and disadvantages of committees Role of the management committee in the organization References

Introduction Committees are very important in modern organizations. Committee participation is an expected part of the daily routine of the chief of service, department head, or manager.

Definition of committee is a group of people who are chosen to do a particular job or to make decision about something.

Committee functions 1. Governance 2. Coordination 3. Research and recommendations

General types of committees 1 - Standing committees: which are relatively permanent, it advisory in authority focuses on recurring matters. The individual members change, but the committee is continuing with respect to the number of members, the distribution of representatives, and its basic charge. � Those responsible for dealing with credentials, infection control, patient care policies, medical records, and quality assurance.

Their typical roles 1. Board Development 2. Evaluation Ensures sound evaluation of products/services/programs. 3. Executive Oversee operations of the board; often acts on behalf of the board. 4. Finance Oversees development of the budget; ensures accurate monitoring of funds 5. Fundraising Oversees development and implementation of the fundraising plan 6. Marketing Oversees development and implementation of the marketing plan. 7. Personnel Guiding and development 8. Product / program development 9. Promotions and sales

10. Public relations: it represents the organization to the community; enhances the organization's image, including communications with the press 2 -Ad Hoc committees: are temporary committees formed to fulfill a specific purpose. Committees that exist to accomplish a goal and then cease to exist.

Hospital committees There are several committees in the hospital such as: 1 -Joint conference committee: Consists of the board, chief executive officer, and medical staff representative to facilitate ongoing discussion about: 1. Audit: plans and supports audit of a major functions, e. g. , finances, programs or organization 2. Campaign (nonprofit): Plans and coordinates major fundraising event; sometimes a subcommittee of the fundraising committee 3. Ethics: Develops and applies guidelines for ensuring ethical behavior and resolving ethical conflicts 4. Events (or Programs): Plans and coordinates major events, such as fundraising (nonprofits), teambuilding or planning.

Cont. , 6. Research: Conducts specific research and/or data gathering to make decisions about a current major function in the organization 2 - Executive committee: Consists of chief executive officer, some department's heads and heads of medical staff departments, to coordinate policies and activities of the hospital departments by reviewing their reports.

Cont. , 3 -Quality assurance committee: Consists of medical staff representative and heads of ancillary departments (e. g. tissue surgical review, pharmacological review, therapeutic practice review, medical review). It's objective is to assess the quality of medical care given, define the problems and recommend some corrective actions. 4 -Utilization review committee: Consists of chief executive officer, some medical staff members and some representatives from medical record department. The main objective is to assure the efficiency of using the hospital resources and services (costs and workload).

There are many other hospital committees for different specific objectives such as � Medical record committee (to review the quality of medical record). � Infection control committee (to define infections cases, their causes and how to control them). Credential committee (to assure the appropriate selection of medical staff members. � Bylaws committee (to review, update, and ensure the implementation of medical staff bylaws. � Blood utilization review committee (to review the utilization of blood; determine the need for blood transfusion, and to monitor the quality of blood transfusion)

Elements of committee 1. Chairperson 2. Reporting responsibility (to whom and when); 3. Mandate (scope of authority); 4. Nature of authority (report, recommend, act); and, 5. Resource and/or staff support.

A committee chairperson's duties 1. Coordinating the schedules of committee members. 2. Correlating committee activities with the work of related committees or department. 3. Checking for compliance with mandated deadlines and actions. 4. Obtaining meeting space. 5. Issuing meeting notices as to time, date, place, and agenda. 6. Coordinating and distributing support information before meetings. 7. Preparing the agenda, including sequencing items according to priority.

Individual committee members' responsibilities 1 - Complying with the act: Every committee member of an incorporated association is obliged to take all reasonable steps 2 - Conflicts of interest: members must not put themselves in a position where there is a conflict between their duties and responsibilities to the association and their personal interests. 3 - Complying with the rules: the management committee is responsible for implementing the rules of the association and ensuring that the association meets its obligations under the act. They must comply with the rules of the association at all times

Advantages of committees �Allowing for participation in decision-making, committee and group coordination. �Meeting provides an opportunity for managers to relate to employees. �Committees increase acceptance of solutions and commitment to implementation of their decisions. In addition, groups take risks. �Transmit useful information in two directions toward administrators or managers and toward employees.

� Their advice can be helpful, and they can promote understanding of objectives and programs by other employees. � Some of the new and valid ideas come from committees. � Committees provide a pool of people with specific skills and knowledge � Can reduce resistance to change. � Care quality can be improved, personnel turnover reduced, and harmony promoted through committee work.

Disadvantages of committees 1. Waste time. 2. Participants complain that committee meetings and conferences do not allow enough individual input, and sometimes have weak leaders who are dominated by other members 3. If not trained committee participants may arrive at premature decisions. 4. Without trained leadership, committees can be dominated by one person. .

Role of the management committee in the organization 1 -Vision and leadership: The management committee ensures that the organization does support its vision, purpose and aims. 2 -Accountability: The management committee must account for everything the organization does 3 -Keeping it legal: The management committee ensures compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. 4 -Financial oversight: The management committee ensures that all money and resources are properly used, managed and accounted 5 -Managing staff and volunteers: the management committee must ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place for staff and for volunteers, and that both are properly managed and supported.

References � Swansburg, R. (1999): Introductory Management and leadership for Nurses, p 393 -413 � Liebler, J. (2008): Management principles for health professionals, committee and teams, p 311 -344 � http: //www. resourcecentre. org. uk/wpcontent/themes/resource. Centre/ images/rclogo. gif. � http: //www. docep. wa. gov. au/global/associationsguide/images/inc. j � http: //managementhelp. org/images/fml_header. jpg