Healthcare organizations should be reliable and resilient when unexpected events occur that create pressure for change. This paper discusses the importance of reliability and resilience when a decision is made to standardize the professionals’ work methods.
The aim was to explain how healthcare organizations can maintain high reliability in the operations beyond an unexpected event.
Two qualitative case studies at two hospitals are used to compare the work methods. Semi-structured interviews and follow-up questions were conducted with managers, nurses, and physicians in departments of cardiology and urology. Annual reports and operation plans also provide data.
High reliability healthcare organization is sufficiently resilient in times of change if providing quality care, encourages flexibility, individual responsibility, promotes good communication, develops learning processes and gives legitimacy.
Professionals need participate in decision-making processes and require time and opportunity to develop knowledge and skills.