NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Name

Capella University

NHS-FPX 6008 Economics and Decision Making in Health Care

Prof. Name

Date

Needs Analysis for Change

Inadequate staffing in nursing homes poses significant economic challenges. It impacts care quality, increases healthcare costs, and elevates turnover rates. These issues disproportionately affect vulnerable populations due to existing socioeconomic and diversity disparities. Urgent action, including investment in staffing and policy reforms, is necessary to mitigate adverse outcomes and ensure equitable access to quality care.

Summary of the Nursing Staff Shortages Economic Issues

Inadequate staffing in nursing homes is a significant economic issue with widespread impacts. Working in understaffed environments leads to overwhelming workloads, affecting my ability to provide high-quality care and contributing to burnout. This compromises care quality, increasing the hazard of adverse events such as falls and medication errors in organizations. This endangers resident health and elevates healthcare costs. Colleagues face increased workloads, impacting job satisfaction and mental health, leading to higher turnover rates (Efobi, 2022). The broader community, especially vulnerable populations, experiences disparities in access to quality healthcare, resulting in poorer health outcomes and increased hospital readmissions.

The rationale for selecting inadequate staffing in nursing homes stems from its profound effect on a vulnerable population. Nursing homes require consistent, high-quality care for elderly residents with complex needs. Inadequate staffing undermines this care, leading to detrimental outcomes and significant economic costs (Crowley et al., 2022). Personal experiences, such as having a family member in long-term care, exposed me to the challenges nursing home staff and residents face. Observing overworked staff highlighted the importance of adequate staffing. My compassion, respect for the elderly, and commitment to equitable healthcare drive my focus on this issue.

The gap contributing to inadequate staffing lies in the disparity between increasing demand for long-term care services and an insufficient supply of qualified healthcare professionals. Addressing inadequate staffing requires investment in hiring and training more staff. While this incurs initial costs, the benefits include improved resident outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Investing in adequate staffing yields a high return on investment (ROI) through improved care quality, resident satisfaction, and reduced turnover (Solid, 2020). Failure to address inadequate staffing poses significant risks, including continued poor health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and legal liabilities (Halifax & Harrington, 2024). Urgent action, including policy reforms and investments in staffing, is imperative to mitigate the consequences of staffing shortages in nursing homes.

Socioeconomic or Diversity Disparities

Inadequate staffing in nursing homes intensifies current socioeconomic and diversity disparities, mainly impacting vulnerable residents. Public health statistics reveal that minority and low-income communities disproportionately rely on nursing home care. However, these communities often face more significant challenges in accessing facilities with adequate staffing due to geographic, financial, and systemic barriers. For instance, studies show that nursing homes in low-income areas are more likely to have insufficient staffing than facilities in affluent neighbourhoods (Falvey et al., 2020). This disparity in staffing levels contributes to poorer health outcomes among disadvantaged groups. Residents from marginalized communities are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse events such as medication errors, infections, and preventable hospital readmissions due to inadequate care resulting from staffing shortages (Sohi et al., 2020). Moreover, socioeconomic disparities intersect with other factors such as race, ethnicity, language, and cultural backgrounds, further exacerbating the impact of inadequate staffing on specific populations.

Ethical and culturally equitable solutions are essential to address these disparities and improve the quality of care for all residents. One approach involves implementing targeted recruitment and retention strategies to increase diversity among healthcare professionals (Kawamala, 2021). By hiring staff who reflect the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of residents, nursing homes can enhance cultural competence and provide more personalized care. Investing in staff training programs that emphasize cultural sensitivity, communication skills, and implicit bias awareness can promote inclusive and equitable care practices (Kawamala, 2021). Furthermore, policy reforms are necessary to address the underlying socioeconomic factors contributing to staffing disparities. This may include initiatives to increase funding for nursing homes serving marginalized communities, improve reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients, and implement regulatory standards that prioritize staffing adequacy based on resident acuity and population demographics (Grabowski et al., 2023).

Evidence-Based Sources for Nursing Staff Shortages

Evidence-based sources emphasize the urgent need to address inadequate staffing in nursing homes and advocate for potential change or implementation plans. Research highlights the detrimental effects of understaffing on resident outcomes and the quality of care provided.

One study by Blatter et al. (2023) found a significant correlation between higher patient-to-nurse ratios and increased rates of adverse events such as pressure ulcers, falls, and medication errors in nursing homes. This underscores the critical importance of adequate staffing levels in ensuring resident safety and well-being. Another scholarly source by Sturmberg et al. (2024) explores the economic implications of inadequate staffing in nursing homes. The study estimates that facilities with lower staff-to-resident ratios experience higher healthcare costs due to preventable adverse events, hospital readmissions, and extended hospital stays. These findings underscore the financial burden of understaffing and emphasize the potential cost savings of investing in adequate staffing.

Research by Aloisio et al. (2021) highlights the relationship between staffing levels, staff burnout, and job satisfaction. The study demonstrates that higher patient-to-nurse ratios are associated with increased staff burnout and job dissatisfaction, leading to higher turnover rates. Addressing staffing shortages is crucial for resident outcomes and maintaining a stable and satisfied workforce. Additionally, a meta-analysis by Harrington et al. (2020) provides compelling evidence that higher nurse staffing levels are associated with better quality of care and reduced adverse events in nursing homes. This comprehensive review of existing literature strengthens the argument for implementing changes to improve staffing levels and enhance resident care. Qualitative and quantitative information from these sources guides economic decision-making by illustrating the significant impact of inadequate staffing on resident safety, healthcare costs, staff well-being, and organizational stability. These findings serve as a compelling rationale for stakeholders and colleagues to prioritize investments in staffing and enact policy reforms to address the issue effectively.

Opportunities and Predicted Outcomes

The suggested modification or implementation strategy aimed at addressing the issue of inadequate staffing in nursing homes that has the potential to produce noteworthy benefits and expansion prospects. Firstly, by improving staffing levels, nursing homes can expect a notable enhancement in the quality of care provided to residents. Studies have consistently shown that excellent staffing ratios are related to better resident results, including reduced rates of adverse events such as falls, pressure ulcers and medication errors. As a result, residents will likely experience improved health and well-being, leading to higher satisfaction levels and overall quality of life (Harrington et al., 2020). Addressing staffing shortages can benefit both patients and the organization economically. Reducing adverse events and hospital readmissions translates into lower healthcare costs and improved patient financial security. Additionally, residents may experience shorter hospital stays, resulting in faster recovery times and reduced financial strain for themselves and their families (Jutkowitz et al., 2023).

For nursing home organizations, investing in adequate staffing can result in long-term financial gains. By reducing preventable adverse events and hospitalizations, facilities can lower their healthcare costs and minimize the risk of legal liabilities associated with poor care outcomes. Furthermore, improved staffing levels can enhance the organization’s reputation within the community and among prospective residents and their families, leading to increased occupancy rates and revenue generation (Mileski et al., 2020). Ethically and culturally equitable economic strategies are integral to ensuring nursing home resources’ sustainability and future security.

Organizations can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for healthcare professionals from all backgrounds by prioritising staffing improvements and investing in diverse recruitment and training programs. This fosters employee satisfaction and retention and enhances cultural competence and the ability to provide culturally sensitive care to residents from diverse communities (Effland et al., 2020). The proposed change to address inadequate staffing in nursing homes is poised to yield numerous positive outcomes and opportunities for growth. By improving the quality of care, reducing healthcare costs, and fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, nursing homes can ensure the future security of their resources and their ability to provide superior care to all residents.

Conclusion

Addressing nursing staff shortages in long-term care facilities is imperative to mitigate economic burdens, enhance care quality, and promote equitable access to healthcare. By investing in adequate staffing levels, implementing targeted recruitment and retention strategies, and enacting policy reforms, organizations can improve resident outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and foster a supportive work environment. Ethical considerations, cultural competence, and inclusivity must underpin these efforts to address disparities and ensure sustainable healthcare practices. Overall, prioritizing staffing improvements is essential for the well-being of residents, healthcare professionals, and the broader community.

References

Aloisio, L. D., Coughlin, M., & Squires, J. E. (2021). Individual and organizational factors of nurses’ job satisfaction in long-term care: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 123, 104073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104073

Blatter, C., Osińska, M., Simon, M., & Zúñiga, F. (2023). The relationship between nursing home staffing and resident Safety outcomes: A systematic review of reviews. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 150, 104641–104641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104641

Crowley, R., Atiq, O., Hilden, D., Beachy, M. W., Brislen, H. C., Curry, W. A., Engel, L. S., Hollon, M., Mathew, S. M., Southworth, M., Tan, M. J., Mellacheruvu, P., Shoushtari, C. S., Sagar, A., Beachy, M. W., Brislen, H. C., Curry, W. A., Engel, L. S., Hollon, M., & Mathew, S. M. (2022). Long-term services and supports for older adults: A position paper from the American college of physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 175(8), 1172–1174. https://doi.org/10.7326/m22-0864

Effland, K. J., Hays, K., Ortiz, F. M., & Blanco, B. A. (2020). Incorporating an equity agenda into health professions education and training to build a more representative workforce. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 65(1), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13070

Efobi, O. C. (2022). Poor management skills: “A contributing factor to high turnover rate in nursing homes.” Fortune Journal of Health Sciences, 5(2), 232–242. https://fortuneonline.org/articles/poor-management-skills-ldquoa-contributing-factor-to-high-turnover-rate-in-nursing-homesrdquo.html

Falvey, J. R., Hade, E. M., Friedman, S. G., Deng, R., Jabbour, J., Stone, R. I., & Travers, J. L. (2022). Severe neighborhood deprivation and nursing home staffing in the United States. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 71(3), 711–719. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17990

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Grabowski, D. C., Chen, A., & Saliba, D. (2023). Paying for nursing home quality: An elusive but important goal. Public Policy & Aging Report, 33(Supplement_1), S22–S27. https://doi.org/10.1093/ppar/prac028

Halifax, E., & Harrington, C. (2024). Proposed minimum nurse staffing levels in nursing homes. Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice/Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 25(2), 67–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544241237653

Harrington, C., Dellefield, M. E., Halifax, E., Fleming, M. L., & Bakerjian, D. (2020). Appropriate nurse staffing levels for U.S. nursing homes. Health Services Insights, 13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178632920934785

Jutkowitz, E., Landsteiner, A., Ratner, E., Shippee, T., Madrigal, C., Ullman, K., Linskens, E., Wilt, T. J., & Porter, W. D. (2023). Effects of nurse staffing on resident outcomes in nursing homes: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 24(1), 75-81.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2022.11.002

Kawamala, P. N. (2021). The role of cultural consciousness and knowledge development in managing multicultural staff in Norwegian nursing homes. Oda.oslomet.no. https://oda.oslomet.no/oda-xmlui/handle/11250/2766125

Mileski, M., Pannu, U., Payne, B., Sterling, E., & McClay, R. (2020). The impact of nurse practitioners on hospitalizations and discharges from long-term nursing facilities: A systematic review. Healthcare, 8(2), 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8020114

Sohi, S. C., Panagioti, M., White, G. D., Giles, S., Riste, L., Kirk, S., Ong, B. N., Poppleton, A., Campbell, S., & Sanders, C. (2020). Patient safety in marginalised groups: A narrative scoping review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1103-2

NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 2 Needs Analysis for Change

Solid, C. A. (2020). Return on investment for healthcare quality improvement. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46478-3

Sturmberg, J. P., Gainsford, L., Goodwin, N., & Pond, D. (2024). Systemic failures in nursing home care—A scoping study. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13961