Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines a system as "a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole."

In a HCSSA, systems that promote patient/client care, comfort, safety, and well-being can include but are not limited to:

• daily management and operation of the agency;
• protection of patients/clients from abuse and neglect;
• delivery of health care to patients/clients;
• ensuring care is coordinated among staff, contracted staff, outside professionals, and other HCSSAs providing care; and
• ensuring staff competency.

Part of the administrator's responsibilities include organizing and directing the agency's ongoing functions, which involves a responsibility for oversight of the agency's systems. Likewise, the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee is responsible for the annual evaluation of the agency's total operations, which entails a review of agency systems. An effectively functioning administrator and committee are essential to ensuring the effective functioning of agency systems.