Tara Crisafulli
FYSM
Prof. Harden
1. Detail the system that your subject encountered
Florence Nightingale aspired to be a nurse since she was a toddler. The system that she was working against, and sometimes with was the military health care system of the 1800s. This system was under staffed, deprived of necessary tools, and was not organized. This often left a large percent of patients with a higher risk of death, or complications than normal.
2. Explain the need and the problems that your subject encountered
Nightingale arrived in Scutari during the Crimean war with a team of 38 nurses to find that there were over 2,400 wounded, or sick soldiers. Nightingale was not just under staffed but under minded. The army surgeons had forbid Nightingale and her staff to step foot with in the barracks due to the fact that they were women. After a short period of time they broke down, and allowed Nightingale to do her work. She was faced with supply, sanitary (rats, fleas etc.), and infection issues. The largest problem amongst them all was the organization; Nightingale realized that the hospital was not even keeping the records in an organized/correct manor.
3. How did they attempt to change the understanding of the situation?
Nightingale attempted to change the system by carrying herself as if she was a politician. She was on a mission to fix this system, and would wheel and deal until she completed that mission. The first order of business was to acquire the supplies need to properly run the hospital. Nightingale and her staff cleaned the wards. After doing so they continued to make sure every soldier had a clean set of clothes. Due to those two actions it cut back the death rate dramatically.
4. How did they change the system?
Nightingale continued to change the system by introducing many new items, and methods. She started with very meticulous record keeping, which would lead the hospitals to keep better record, resulting in a smooth running system. She also put in new kitchens, and laundry rooms, this also contributed to the sanitary problem. She made it mandatory that all soldiers’ clothes were to be washed in boiling water, and they must eat with clean cutlery. The last little touch that really boosted the spirits of the patients was the fact that she would make nightly rounds, as if she was there mother, checking on each one of them.
5. What problems did they encounter? What setbacks?
The problems that Nightingale encountered consisted of smaller obstacles. Things such as budgeting problems. When she first arrived she was not given the money she needed to turn the hospital around. She over came this by suing money that she had raised in England and brought over. The money she raised did make a difference, but that much of a difference. Eventually she bargained with the War office to give her a larger budget, and they did so. The other problems she encountered were the fact that when you change a system you don't just change the system itself, you change what builds the system. Meaning you must change the behavior, the expectations, and the attitude of the people involved with it.
6. Who were the allies? The opposers?
Nightingale created a large movement of women pushing to be a part of the health system. One of the main supporters consisted of Queen Victoria. Nightingale refused to even have an interview with anyone until Queen Victoria asked to speak with her. She made an exception for the Queen due to the fact that she knew it would be pure business.
7. Explain how the new system works.
This new system is up and running and has been for years. The foundation for this system is organization, good attitudes, fallowing producers. Every hospital must be thoroughly cleaned, well-staffed, and have the necessary tools to operate. Nightingale had published numerous journals that are still used till today to teach nurses, and other health professionals to conduct their jobs.
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