Health Promotion Theory - Essay Example

"Health Promotion Theory" is a perfect example of a paper on the health system. Notably, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is an infection that is commonly associated with intensive care units (ICU) and it accounts for about a quarter of the infections that affect critically ill patients (Koenig & Truwit, 2006). Consequently, VAP does not only contribute significantly to the morbidity together with mortality of ICU patients but also it increases the financial burden. Therefore, there is a great need to identify a solution for the infection. According to Poland (2000), the health promotion theory through an organizational change model will significantly, reduce the occurrence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

            Components of health promotion theory

            The organizational change model will integrate improvement initiatives at the organizational level along with at the individual level (Poland, 2000).  Remarkably, individual initiatives will include initiatives by practitioners and patients. The health promotion theory on organizational change involves a five-step model used for improving health organizations during health promotion. The five-step model includes

1. Building motivation that will initiate organizational change
2. Strengthening the organizational capacity in order to enhance improvement
3. Identifying the strategic directions for health promotion along with behavioral health care
4. Conducting the analysis of critical function analysis
5. Improving the performance while using the rapid cycle change along with the quality improvement tools

This model is crucial in providing the direction together with practical tools while reorienting the health care services.

            The rationale for health promotion theory

            Owing to the fact that it affects the patients in the hospitals, the prevention of the infection also lies in the hospital. Consequently, promoting health in organizations will greatly assist in the effects of the infection. Health promotion theory, proposed by Nola focuses on increasing the level of clients well being (Nursing Theories, 2012). More importantly, the theory describes the multidimensional nature of people during their interaction with the environment in order to pursue health. Consequently, the theory is relevant in handling ventilator-associated pneumonia. This will call for promoting health through adopting organization change theory.

Working and incorporation health promotion theory in reducing the occurrence of VAP

            So as to reduce and prevent the impacts of ventilator-associated pneumonia, the theory emphasizes motivating the organization towards participating in the same objective.  This involves building an understanding along with the commitment of the organization towards improving its processes throughout its various levels (Poland, 2000). In addition, the behavior change should also focus the practitioners together with the patients through improving the quality of care. It will be important to address the organizational change and then embark on advising the patients on the importance of changing behavior. Following this, the practitioners also need to be trained so as they will be in a position to provide ventilator-associated pneumonia preventive service that is augmented by behavioral health care.

            Moreover, it is crucial for healthcare organizations to go beyond using traditional approaches and incorporate information systems along with new knowledge that will make the organization achieve high standards of performance (Poland, 2000).  This is meant to strengthen the organizational capacity that is required for improvement. The third step will involve identifying strategic directions inherent in prevention together with promoting behavioral healthcare. Organizations should provide distinct intentions towards preventing VAP and also promote behavioral health care in addition to setting the stage for effective actions and decisions aimed at improving performance.

            The fourth step will call for organizations promoting critical functions that support the practitioners together with patients to adopt behavior change (Poland, 2000). This includes professional development, prompting practitioners and patients, and identifying the risk behaviors. The ideas that come from this step can then be used in improving performance.

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