Nursing Staffing Essay – The Application of Data to Problem-Solving Discussion

Nursing Staffing Essay – The Application of Data to Problem-Solving Discussion

By Day 3 of Week 1

Share a situation you’ve encountered. Explain what data might be relevant, how it can be collected, and how it can be accessed. What insights can we gain from this data, and how can nurse leaders apply their judgment and clinical reasoning to learn from this experience?

I work part-time at a nursing home, and there’s a severe shortage of nurses. It might be due to COVID-19, causing some nurses to be laid off while others misuse unemployment benefits. Additionally, the facility has ongoing management problems. Typically, there are about 75 residents in the facility, and the staffing mix includes medical assistants during some shifts and licensed nurses (LPNs) at night, along with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). However, the management staff enjoys a standard 9-5 schedule with weekends off. Nursing homes face even worse staffing ratios than hospitals. It’s disheartening to see that after a lifetime of work and contribution to society, people end up in nursing homes where care can be subpar. Some residents don’t receive regular baths, the food quality is poor, and there are gaps in care. To improve this situation, using a Management Information System, as described in our text, could provide routine reports for decision-making. These reports could help schedule CNAs and nursing staff according to resident needs.

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My other job involves comprehensive home care, which is still reliant on paper charting. I’ve suggested transitioning to an electronic system so that I can assess clients using a laptop. Sweeney emphasizes that providers who traditionally don’t use Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are now adapting but face a learning curve while continuing to care for patients. Our home care agency recently changed its paperwork process three times in three years, and switching to electronic records would save time and money in the long run. Some of my clients are veterans who benefit from telehealth and electronic devices that send data directly to their providers. This shift to technology can improve and sustain health, reduce costs, and ease the strain on the healthcare workforce.

Since working in home care, I aim to keep my clients healthier in their homes so they can enjoy their lives where they’ve worked so hard to be.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on different days, offering questions or alternative ideas related to data application and nursing informatics principles.

Response

Your post about staffing issues in nursing homes resonates with me. I volunteered at a nursing home when I was younger, and it was clear that the residents just wanted companionship. It’s heartbreaking to hear their stories and see that many don’t receive visitors. While nursing homes might not be the ideal place for everyone, there’s a need for skilled facilities as people age. According to data from the Nursing Home Abuse Center (2019), 1.4 million people live in nursing homes in the United States, and skilled facilities provide essential services, including nursing care and 24-hour supervision. The care you’re advocating for is essential.

It’s evident from research that staffing ratios significantly affect patient care. For instance, Halm et al. (2005) found a direct correlation between staffing ratios and patient mortality rates, and Griffiths et al. (2018) showed a connection between staffing ratios and patients’ length of stay. These ratios matter, and the guidelines set forth by Medicare and Medicaid support proper staffing. The Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities Act highlights the importance of adequate nursing staff for resident safety and well-being.

Hopefully, the day will come when nursing homes have the staffing they need, and residents receive the care they deserve.

References:

– Halm, M., Peterson, M., Kandels, M., Sabo, J., Blalock, M., Braden, R., … & Topham, D. (2005). Hospital Nurse Staffing and Patient Mortality, Emotional Exhaustion, and Job Dissatisfaction. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 19(5), 241–251.

– Griffiths, P., Ball, J., Bloor, K., Böhning, D., Briggs, J., Dall’Ora, C., … & Smith, G. (2018). Nurse staffing levels, missed vital signs, and mortality in hospitals: retrospective longitudinal observational study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 6(38), 1–120.

– Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2021, April 9). Nursing Homes. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/GuidanceforLawsAndRegulations/Nursing-Homes

– National Institute of Aging. (2021). Residential Facilities, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/residential-facilities-assisted-living-and-nursing-homes

– Nursing Home Abuse Center. (2019, October 18). Facts and Statistics about U.S. Nursing Homes. https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.org/informative/facts-statistics-nursing-homes/