Please Respond In 50 Words Or More To The Following Question

Please Respond In 50 Words Or More To The Following1 What Staffing M

The facility employs a census-based staffing model, assigning nurses based on patient numbers and room counts. Given frequent staffing shortages and patient acuity variations, I recommend adjusting assignments to consider patient care needs more accurately. Implementing regular workload assessments and advocating for increased staffing levels would optimize safety and nurse well-being, supported by evidence-based strategies such as the OPER-AF scale.

Paper For Above instruction

The staffing model implemented at the facility where I work is primarily based on census figures, which determine nurse staffing levels according to patient volume and room counts. Specifically, the facility has 23 rooms with two clients per room, and the current staffing ratio is two nurses for these patients, although the ideal officially is nine patients per nurse. This model presents challenges, especially during staffing shortages, which often compromise patient safety and nurse workload. In such settings, nurses are required to care for a high number of patients, frequently exceeding optimal ratios, which can lead to increased fatigue, errors, and compromised quality of care.

Based on current literature and patient safety standards, it is clear that staffing models should incorporate patient acuity to better align workload with patient needs. Patient acuity, which refers to the severity of illness or care requirements, significantly impacts nursing workload and outcomes (Aiken et al., 2017). Failing to account for acuity results in uneven workload distribution, risking patient safety and nurse burnout. Therefore, I recommend modifying the existing census-based staffing model to a more dynamic model that considers both patient numbers and acuity levels in staffing decisions.

One viable approach is implementing acuity-adapted staffing models, which allocate nursing resources based on the complexity of care each patient requires (Shahid et al., 2018). For example, high-acuity patients—those with complex needs—should be assigned fewer patients per nurse, ideally no more than five, as suggested by the OPER-AF scale (Mollica & Schwerha, 2021). Nurses should also communicate regularly with colleagues and supervisors regarding workload concerns, fostering a collaborative approach to patient safety. When workload becomes unmanageable, unit managers should step in promptly to redistribute assignments or request additional staffing, ensuring that the care standards are maintained.

To effectively implement such modifications, the facility could adopt regular workload assessments, utilizing tools like the OFER acute fatigue scale, to identify when staffing adjustments are necessary (Mollica & Schwerha, 2021). Increasing staffing levels should be prioritized, particularly for nurses caring for high-acuity patients, to prevent fatigue-related errors. Education and training programs can also enhance nurses’ understanding of acuity-based staffing principles, encouraging proactive communication about workload issues. Overall, integrating patient acuity into staffing decisions, supported by evidence-based tools, enhances both patient outcomes and nurse well-being.

References

• Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., & Sermeus, W. (2017). Nurse staffing and patient outcomes: Strengthening the evidence. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 49(2), 158-165.
• Mollica, R., & Schwerha, D. (2021). Exploring the Relationship between Patient Acuity, Patient Assignments and Fatigue among Nurses. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 65(1), 1200-1204.
• Shahid, S., Arif, I., & Hyder, A. A. (2018). A systematic review of nursing staff allocation models and patient safety outcomes. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(1-2), e103-e115.
• Duffield, C., Roche, M., & Stasa, H. (2018). Nursing staffing and patient safety. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(13-14), 2439-2447.
• Tucker, S., & Sinclair, P. (2019). Managing workload through staffing models that prioritize patient acuity. Nursing Management, 26(3), 18-24.
• Shapiro, M. F., et al. (2019). Health workforce management: incorporating patient acuity into staffing decisions. American Journal of Public Health, 109(4), 568-573.
• Griffiths, P., et al. (2016). The association of nurse staffing and patient outcomes: A systematic review. British Medical Journal Open, 6(6), e010465.
• Kalisch, B. J., Lee, S., & D’AMPOLLA, L. (2019). Nurse staffing levels and patient safety outcomes. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 41(8), 1159-1174.
• Shekelle, P. G., et al. (2013). Assessing the evidence for quality improvement strategies: A systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(3), 185-192.
• Li, Y., et al. (2017). Impact of staffing on patient outcomes in nursing homes. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 18(8), 675-679.