Policy Challenge
Advocating for policy changes in the health care delivery systems may not be an easy task because the policy might have been in place for a very long time. However, it is possible to drive for changes by providing legitimate reasons for the change. In the mother-baby unit, the hospital policy barred visitors from visiting the babies and could only observe them from a distance. The main reason for this policy was an incident that resulted in the rapid spread of staph infections a few years back. As a nurse, you can make a strong case by pointing out that the family members need to be close to their newest relative. Therefore, a proposal to ensure that the visitors disinfect their hands before coming into contact with the babies would be highly effective. This move would allow them to create bonds with the babies without affecting their health.
To advocate for change, one has to have specific competencies. The person should be knowledgeable about the health care delivery system and patients’ rights. Excellent communication skills are essential, and the person should incorporate the help of the health care team to increase the chances of success ((Patton et al., 2015). The organization’s philosophy on advocating for cultural change requires that the advocate should have valid reasons for promoting change and be confident enough so that others may offer their support. The hospital has a vast supply of disinfectants that would be key in addressing this issue. The staff should work together to create awareness of disinfection before handling babies.
Several organizations may be vital in advocating for this policy change. These organizations include UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) and the World Health Organization. These two organizations partnered to create the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative aimed at improving hospital conditions for mothers and infants. The most vital guideline when providing evidence-based support to the advocacy process is maintaining transparency.