Queensland Stay On Your Feet® - Toolkit Phase 1 Organisational readiness

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Assess readiness to take action

Organisational readiness

A program's success and sustainability often rely on the level of involvement by organisations and services, and their uptake of resources[1] [89]. Research around organisational readiness for change generally focuses on program leaders' motivation and personality attributes, staff motivation, institutional resources and organisational climate [2].

When working with organisations, start by reviewing any opportunities to integrate falls prevention and healthy active ageing into their core business. Identify how the organisation can contribute to falls prevention and healthy active ageing through its existing structures, systems and services. Invite representatives from all levels of the organisation to participate in the planning process. Organisations may also need to consider slips, trips and falls risk management for their employees and clients, especially if they are seniors.

Organisational readiness toolsWhen implementing change in organisations, ask these questions [3]:

  • Has a one to two day change readiness workshop been held with senior management to assess organisational readiness and identify management change goals?
  • Has senior management clearly identified the change goals that are most important (eg. conversion to a new falls risk assessment system within 12 months, full implementation of a new business process within six months, a 50% reduction in falls)?
  • Are the change goals specific and measurable?
  • Have the implications of the change goals been clearly identified (eg. reduction in staff, increase in staff, training requirements)?
  • Have any issues associated with organisational readiness been clearly identified (eg. history of unsuccessful projects, significant organisational changes already underway)?
  • If significant issues exist, has a plan been developed to help the organisation prepare for the project?
  • Do the key individuals understand that a change needs to happen, agree that a change will be effective, and see its potential for success?
  • Is there sufficient time available to implement the change?
  • Are there sufficient financial resources available to implement the change?
  • Are there sufficient human resources available to advocate and support the change?

The 2009 Australian Implementation Guide for Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls in Older People in Hospitals and Residential Aged Care Facilities discusses organisational readiness by saying: "It is essential to have an understanding of the hospital or RACF's readiness for change. Given that each facility will differ, there is no one simple approach to this assessment. However, it may be useful to consider the barriers and facilitators. Because of the complexity of most facilities, it is unlikely that the responses provided within an assessment of organisational readiness for change would be simply "yes" or "no".

Organisational readiness tool

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Last updated: 7 August 2012