Rose McCloskey1, Cindy Donovan2, Connie Stewart3, Alicia Donovan4. 1. Department of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada. Electronic address: rmcclosk@unbsj.ca. 2. Loch Lomond Villa Inc., Saint John, NB, Canada. 3. Department of Computer Science & Applied Statistics, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada. 4. Faculty of Science, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Calls for improved conditions in nursing homes have pointed to the importance of optimizing the levels and skills of care providers. Understanding the work of care providers will help to determine if staff are being used to their full potential and if opportunities exist for improved efficiencies. OBJECTIVES: To explore the activities of care providers in different nursing homes and to identify if variations exist within and across homes and shifts. METHODS: A multi-centre cross-sectional observational work flow study was conducted in seven different nursing homes sites in one Canadian province. Data were collected by a research assistant who conducted 368 h of observation. The research assistant collected data by following an identical route in each site and recording observations on staff activities. RESULTS: Findings indicate staff activities vary across roles, sites and shifts. Licensed practical nurses (nursing assistants) have the greatest variation in their role while registered nurses have the least amount of variability. In some sites both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses perform activities that may be safely delegated to others. Care providers spend as much as 53.7% of their time engaged in non-value added activities. CONCLUSIONS: There may be opportunities for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to delegate some of their activities to non-regulated workers. The time care providers spend in non-value activities suggest there may be opportunities to improve efficiencies within the nursing home setting.
BACKGROUND: Calls for improved conditions in nursing homes have pointed to the importance of optimizing the levels and skills of care providers. Understanding the work of care providers will help to determine if staff are being used to their full potential and if opportunities exist for improved efficiencies. OBJECTIVES: To explore the activities of care providers in different nursing homes and to identify if variations exist within and across homes and shifts. METHODS: A multi-centre cross-sectional observational work flow study was conducted in seven different nursing homes sites in one Canadian province. Data were collected by a research assistant who conducted 368 h of observation. The research assistant collected data by following an identical route in each site and recording observations on staff activities. RESULTS: Findings indicate staff activities vary across roles, sites and shifts. Licensed practical nurses (nursing assistants) have the greatest variation in their role while registered nurses have the least amount of variability. In some sites both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses perform activities that may be safely delegated to others. Care providers spend as much as 53.7% of their time engaged in non-value added activities. CONCLUSIONS: There may be opportunities for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to delegate some of their activities to non-regulated workers. The time care providers spend in non-value activities suggest there may be opportunities to improve efficiencies within the nursing home setting.
Authors: Javier Dorado Chaparro; Jesús Fernández-Bermejo Ruiz; María José Santofimia Romero; Xavier Del Toro García; Rubén Cantarero Navarro; Cristina Bolaños Peño; Henry Llumiguano Solano; Félix Jesús Villanueva Molina; Anabela Gonçalves Silva; Juan Carlos López Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-01 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Lieve M Roets-Merken; Myrra J F J Vernooij-Dassen; Sytse U Zuidema; Marianne K Dees; Pieter G J M Hermsen; Gertrudis I J M Kempen; Maud J L Graff Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-11-17 Impact factor: 2.692