1.6.6 Optimizing Health Systems

APNs contribute to optimizing health systems through advocacy, promoting and facilitating equitable, client-centred health care.

Optimizing health systems is supported through the following:

• Engaging clients and other team members in resolving health system level issues
• Generate and implement new nursing knowledge to develop standards of care, practice guidelines, policies, protocols & programs
• Advocate for clients, health system & policy decisions that affect health and quality of life
•  Integrate principles of resource allocation and cost effectiveness
• Contribute to system level change through policy & guideline development & effective use of resources
• Participate in strategic planning
• Contribute to, consult or collaborate on recruitment & retention strategies
• Implement health care improvements including delivery & processes
• Understand legislative & sociopolitical issues that influence health using knowledge to develop strategies to improve health, access to care & public policy
• Identify health system gaps and develop strategies to facilitate & manage changes
• Advocate for health policy changes through participation on regional, provincial/territorial & federal committees that influence decision making^[1]