Clinical Decision-Making Models: OODA Loop

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Table of Contents

Basic Terminology
Aim of the Paper
Objectives
Background
Literature Review
Results and Conclusion
References

Challenges will always emerge in different situations and environments. In the field of healthcare, medical professionals and caregivers should be in a position to monitor emerging issues and utilize powerful approaches to address them. Nurse practitioners (NPs) also encounter diverse predicaments whenever providing evidence-based services to their respective patients. Such developments might make it impossible for them to meet the changing demands of different individuals or achieve their aims.

Additionally, complex scenarios tend to emerge that require evidence-based decision-making procedures. Unfortunately, the importance of this process or approach is something that many professionals in nursing continue to ignore. Within the past four decades, organizational leaders in hospitals and units have been the ones involved in every aspect of decision-making (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). This gap or problem has continued to make it impossible for health professionals and nurses to address issues that might affect care delivery procedures.

This term paper borrows numerous ideas from the world of business and applies them in the field of nursing to streamline decision-making processes, guide team members, and transform the nature of care delivery models. The identified framework is the OODA (observe-orient-decide-act) loop that has continued to make a difference in many organizations (1. Blankenship, 2016). This model can guide NPs and clinicians to engage in practices that have the potential to support both group and individual decision-making.

This model is applicable in different settings to deliver meaningful results. For example, a team providing inpatient services to several patients can utilize this approach to monitor the situation experienced in the targeted unit (see Figure 1). This will be followed by orientation whereby the involved individuals or person examines the available data and information and consider existing evidence before making the most appropriate decision (2. Ellis, 2017). The third stage will be to decide and then act according to the formulated approach. This example indicates that the members of the team can collaborate to identify the best approaches to delivering exemplary medical services.

Figure 1: OODA Loop (7. Riedel, 2016).

The OODA Loop model is also applicable in team settings when the involved participants are planning to propose new approaches for transforming communication, improving performance, and engaging one another. The cultural, religious, and personal philosophies can be critical to develop the best group policy (2. Ellis, 2017). Such a model can, therefore, deliver desirable outcomes in teams focusing on the health demands of different patients.

Basic Terminology

Decision-making: This is a process different professionals and employees undertake in their respective settings to arrive at choices and conclusions that have the potential to address existing challenges (1. Blankenship, 2016). Workers and team members can consider this practice to improve operations or introduce a new idea, thereby transforming the delivery of services to clients or patients.

OODA Loop: This is a decision-making model that follows the key phases: observe, orient, decide, and act. The approach guides those involved to examine the nature of the targeted situation and use available information or experience to formulate the best decision.

Problem-solving: This is a powerful practice aimed at applying emerging ideas and concepts to address challenges in a given setting or situation (7. Riedel, 2016). Practitioners can utilize appropriate strategies and models if positive results are to be recorded.

Care delivery model: This is a framework different health practitioners implement in their respective units to meet the unique needs of different patients or individuals (7. Riedel, 2016). Such a model should be in accordance with the skills of the caregivers and the nature of the health facility.

Evidence-based practice: This is a powerful approach whereby clinicians, nurses, and caregivers consider emerging knowledge and concepts in the field of healthcare and apply them efficiently to offer high-quality medical services or support to their patients (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). Such a practice will ensure that there are no gaps existing in the delivery of care. Consequently, the identified patients will record positive outcomes.

Patient outcomes: This term focuses on the overall experiences of individuals who are expected to receive exemplary medical services (1. Blankenship, 2016). In the field of nursing, exemplary decision-making models can empower NPs to introduce and implement appropriate initiatives for delivering high-quality medical support.

Aim of the Paper

Health leaders expect nurses to make clinical and personal decisions in their respective units. This practice is essential since it will guide them to improve their practices, solve emerging concerns, and maximize the experiences of outcomes of the employees they serve. Such professionals can work as teams or independently throughout the process if they expect to achieve their objectives much faster (6. Nibbelink & Brewer, 2017). The purpose of this term paper is to examine how practitioners have managed to use decision-making models in the past to improve the quality of medical services available to their respective patients. The acquired information will ensure that every reader learns more about the OODA Loop model and how it can make a significant difference or improve nursing practice.

Objectives

These objectives are expected to guide this paper and ensure that evidence-based concepts are presented to improve the existing healthcare delivery procedures or processes.

To analyze and examine the role of decision-making in the field of nursing.
To understand how healthcare professionals can apply different models and theories of decision-making to address the situations or circumstances existing in their units.
To examine and describe the OODA Loop decision-making model and describe how its application can transform the nature of nursing practice.

Background

NPs and clinicians make decisions in their respective units that can have significant implications for patients’ health experiences and outcomes. They usually access and incorporate emerging research evidence in their fields in an attempt to make evidence-based decisions. This kind of approach has become less meaningful in many medical organizations since practitioners are no longer involved when units are formulating new ideas and conclusions for maximizing performance. In another study, it was observed that many nurses were unable to monitor emerging ideas from other fields in order to engage in appropriate decision-making processes (4. Johansen & O’Brien, 2016).

This gap was affecting the quality of medical services and support available to different patients (2. Ellis, 2017). Additionally, such professionals will also find it hard to cope, interact, and relate with one another in a positive manner. This was the case since the whole idea of decision-making was only linked to the anticipated care delivery procedures and outcomes.

The use of knowledge is an evidence-based practice capable of transforming the way individuals and professionals in the field of healthcare make decisions. Clinicians and nurses can use their personal expertise whenever engaging in individual decision-making to present meaningful conclusions (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). When it comes to group decision-making, participants can present their unique inputs, focus on their past situations and future expectations, and identify available resources that will support the process (1. Blankenship, 2016).

This model will deliver desirable ideas for improving patient outcomes. However, many nurses and practitioners have continued to ignore of this strategy to decision-making. This means that most of them consider past approaches and insights that delivered positive results in the past to present their conclusions. They do so without necessarily considering the importance of emerging ideas and knowledge that can transform the entire process.

While many institutions and nursing departments have reaped the benefits of effective decision-making, some continue to grapple with the problem of individualism. This s true since majority of the clinicians, caregivers, and nurses fail to embrace the power of teamwork. Group decision-making emerges as a new terminology that medical practitioners have to take seriously. The term is defined as a process whereby more than one individual come together and apply a powerful model to develop specific ideas and formulate the most appropriate verdict (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015).

With this approach, it can be easier to address problems, minimize differences, and improve the entire process. Many health professionals do not take the idea of team-based decision-making seriously (2. Ellis, 2017). Instead, they focus on personal choices depending on the nature of the existing problem. Consequently, such nurses will find it hard to propose superior practices that can make a difference for the intended individuals.

Decision-making remains one of the evidence-based approaches that people should pursue if they are to address most of the problems they face. Those in the health profession continue to ignore the strengths and relevance of various models that have the potential to transform this process (6. Nibbelink & Brewer, 2017). Most of the presented frameworks have made it easier for different medical facilities and business organizations to achieve their goals. With a powerful decision-making tool such as the OODA loop, chances are high that practitioners and caregivers can make superior choices and meet the needs of their patients. However, this is a reality that is yet to be realized in the healthcare sector.

Literature Review

Decision-making in the field of nursing remains a common practice aimed at addressing emerging obstacles or concerns and ensuring that all patients are able to receive exemplary medical services. One of the leading approaches is the evidence-based decision making model. The framework has been effective in the field of nursing when planning to introduce emerging clinical expertise and guide NPs to develop superior care delivery models (6. Nibbelink & Brewer, 2017).

This model has been applicable in a wide range of situations to present ideas and concepts that can deliver powerful actions or initiatives. However, some scholars have managed to introduce other models of decision-making depending on the circumstances both practitioners and nurses might be facing (1. Blankenship, 2016). This practice has encouraged all professionals in the field of nursing to embrace powerful procedures that have the potential to deliver positive outcomes.

The significance of the OODA Loop in supporting decision-making in the field of nursing is something that many scholars are currently taking seriously. Unfortunately, very few studies have been completed in the recent past in order to describe and explain how this framework can transform the way NPs and clinicians make meaningful verdicts throughout the care delivery process.

In the article, “Adaptation of the OODA Loop to Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in a High-Risk Outpatient Oncology Population” the authors wanted to examine how such a model could guide clinicians to combine health research with their clinical expertise and maximize the outcomes and experiences of the identified patients (2. Ellis, 2017). Such an approach made it easier for them to identify the most appropriate choices and action plans for engaging individuals and ensuring that they record positive health results.

Nursing teams have considered the OODA Loop model to monitor the unique challenges or opportunities existing in their units. They have combined this kind of knowledge with new ideas obtained from external research (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). The next approach has been to consider the nature of the problem and monitor how similar scenarios have benefited from this framework in the past (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015).

Some of the critical issues to consider include existing evidence-based research information, emerging insights and ideas, people’s cultural attributes, and previous experience (see Figure 1). With this kind of understanding, those involved go further to formulate hypotheses that eventually become the foundations for the intended decision. The identified choice should be informed by the nature of the existing situation and the intended outcomes. After the final verdict is formulated, nurses can implement it in their respective groups in an attempt to transform their care delivery models or support the needs of the targeted patients.

Individual decision-making is a process that has benefited from the OODA Loop in the past. Some practitioners manage to observe the settings they operate in, their work schedules, and intended objectives (6. Nibbelink & Brewer, 2017). This knowledge informs the kind of data or information they can pursue in an attempt to support the process. They also introduce their philosophies and theoretical knowledge in the field of nursing to focus on the intended problem or opportunity.

This is followed by the third phase whereby such professionals present the best decision or action plan. They eventually apply it in the targeted situation in an attempt to achieve their personal or professional goals (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). This literature review has, therefore, indicated that the selected decision-making model is gaining ground in nursing practice. Such an approach means that more people will continue to record positive health results and achieve their potential.

Results and Conclusion

Most of the studies completed in the past support the importance of effective decision-making in nursing practice. Professionals in the field of health should be conversant with different models if they are to achieve their objectives and improve the experiences of their patients (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). The completed researches have promoted the importance of team-based decision-making since it is capable of delivering results much faster.

With groups, individuals find it easier to present insights and ideas that can streamline the process. People with diverse backgrounds will be in a position to present different cultural and religious perspectives and support the decision-making process. They will identify potential sources of conflict and address them before disorienting the effectiveness of the team.

The OODA Loop model has emerged as an evidence-based model since it guides teammates to propose ideas and concepts that can deliver positive decisions. The framework becomes a powerful tool for encouraging practitioners to focus on the team’s internal and external environments, thereby creating the best opportunity for applying their philosophies and past experiences (5. Malewska, 2018).

This strategy encourages them to focus on the nature of the existing situation and propose new initiatives that will eventually make a difference in the targeted unit (8. Zulkosky et al., 2016). After formulating the best choice, the involved team members will implement it depending on the existing situation. For instance, a decision aimed at improving the quality of care delivery procedures will ensure that the targeted individuals achieve their health objectives.

The consulted materials have explained how individual decision-making in nursing is possible using this model. When practitioners embrace the primary model of nursing care delivery, they can find it easier to apply the OODA Loop framework to formulate choices that resonate with the diverse needs and expectations of the targeted patients (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015). Those involved initiate such a procedure by observing the challenging issues they might be facing, gather knowledge, apply their personal philosophies, and formulate the most appropriate verdict (8. Zulkosky et al., 2016). With this model, they will eventually act in accordance with their final decision.

The inclusion of the targeted patients throughout the decision-making process can ensure that better results are recoded. Group decision-making is more effective and capable of delivering meaningful results within a short period (7. Riedel, 2016). This is something possible since the inputs of more people will tend to be superior and analyze the identified situation from all potential dimensions or perspectives.

Successful nursing practice is founded on several attributes, including the ability to make informed decisions and apply evidence-base knowledge. The above discussions and arguments reveal that practitioners can consider the OODA Loop model to combining emerging ideas in the field of care delivery with their clinical expertise to deliver high-quality services (1. Blankenship, 2016). They can consider various options and ideas depending on the targeted goals.

They can also involve their colleagues and form teams in order to record positive results. With effective decision-making procedures, nurses will monitor the preferences of their patients and engage them throughout the process (5. Malewska, 2018). This means that they will formulate evidence-based choices that resonate with the demands or expectations of the identified beneficiaries. After formulating the best verdict, it is appropriate that NPs apply it accordingly and maximize patient outcomes.

Personally, I am planning to learn more about the OODA Loop and form different teams that can streamline the way decisions are made in my current nursing practice. This approach will ensure that all colleagues and participants are willing to introduce their insights, engage all patients, and identify the best outcomes (8. Zulkosky et al., 2016). This means that most of the decisions made will focus on the needs of the team and those of the targeted beneficiaries (3. Jalali & Shaemi, 2015).

The use or application of emerging evidence in nursing is an evidence-based approach that will ensure that my team formulates the best decisions and continues to achieve its objectives. Other professionals and nursing groups can embrace this model and consider the role of group decision-making since the two are capable of delivering timely results in a timely manner.

References

Blankenship, J. (2016). The Ooda Loop handbook – Everything you need know about OODA Loop. New York, NY: History Ink Books.
Ellis, N. (2017). Decision making in practice: Influences, management and reflection. British Journal of Nursing, 26(2). Web.
Jalali, Z., & Shaemi, A. (2015). The impact of nurses’ empowerment and decision-making on the care quality of patients in healthcare reform plan. International Academic Journal of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, 2(9), 33-39.
Johansen, M. L., & O’Brien, J. L. (2016). Decision making in nursing practice: A concept analysis. Nursing Forum, 51(10), 40-48. Web.
Malewska, K. (2018). The profile of an intuitive decision maker and the use of intuition in decision-making practice. Management, 22(1), 31-44. Web.
Nibbelink, C. W., & Brewer, B. B. (2017). Decision‐making in nursing practice: An integrative literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 917-928. Web.
Riedel, A. (2016). Sustainability as an ethical principle: Ensuring its systematic place in professional nursing practice. Healthcare, 4(1), 2-12. Web.
Zulkosky, K. D., White, K. A., Price, A. L., & Pretz, J. E. (2016). Effect of simulation role on clinical decision-making accuracy. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(3), 98-106. Web.

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