NURS FPX 8030 Assessment 4 Methods and Measurement

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 8030 Evidence-Based Practice Process for the Nursing Doctoral Learner

Prof. Name

Date

Methods and Measures

Impact of Staffing Ratios on Patient Outcomes

Staffing ratios play a crucial role in determining patient satisfaction and safety outcomes, including increased falls, catheter-associated infections, and hospital-acquired pressure injuries (Granel et al., 2020). The insufficiency of staffing ratios may lead to nursing staff omitting necessary patient care tasks due to time constraints. To address this issue, it is imperative to enhance the recruitment and retention of nursing staff. Improved nurse retention would enable the maintenance of staffing ratios at 1:6, ensuring that nurses have adequate time to fulfill all patient care responsibilities.

Instruments for Evaluating Recruitment and Retention Effectiveness

Two instruments, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Six Sigma, can be employed to assess the effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategies in improving staffing ratios. The RCA framework involves asking “why” repeatedly to analyze and evaluate staffing issues and proposed practice changes. This qualitative tool can provide data correlating staffing ratios below 1:6 with patient safety incidents, supporting the argument that inadequate staffing hampers nurses’ productivity. By identifying root causes through continuous questioning, RCA can guide interventions aimed at improving recruitment and retention efforts.

Six Sigma Approach to Staffing Issues

While staffing issues significantly contribute to patient safety outcomes, they often remain unmeasured. The Six Sigma methodology, a five-step process encompassing define, measure, analyze, improve, and control, offers a systematic approach. Defining process improvement goals, measuring current staffing ratios, analyzing causes and effects, implementing improvement plans, and ensuring ongoing control are the key steps. This approach focuses on system and process improvement rather than attributing problems to individuals.

Relevance of Root Cause Analysis and Six Sigma in Healthcare

Root Cause Analysis, originally utilized in manufacturing, involves creative problem-solving and strengthening analytical abilities. Similarly, Six Sigma, developed in the 1980s, focuses on system-level improvements. Both instruments have been applied successfully in healthcare settings, addressing issues such as fall prevention, medication errors, and the impact of staffing ratios below 1:6.

Conclusion

Staffing ratios significantly contribute to adverse patient outcomes, and addressing the root causes of short staffing is crucial. Root Cause Analysis and Six Sigma are effective instruments for identifying and addressing staffing-related problems. In this project, the focus on nursing staff recruitment and retention aims to achieve staffing ratios of 1:6, thereby maximizing patient safety in a hospital setting. These instruments are applicable for measuring the impact of the proposed intervention.

References

Barnhart, T. (2011). Get to the root of the problem: root cause analysis (RCA) explained. Retrieved from: http://www.aashtoresource.org/docs/default-source/newsletter/get-to-the-root-of-theproblem–root-cause-analysis-(rca)-explained—printer-friendly.pdf?sfvrsn=5

Granel, N., Manresa-Dominguez, J. M., Watson, C. E., Gomez-Ibanez, R., & BernabeauTamayo, M. (2020). Nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture: a mixed-methods study. BMC Health Services Research, 20, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05441-w

Kam, A. W., Collins, S., Park, T. (2021). Using lean six sigma techniques to improve efficiency in outpatient ophthalmology clinics. BMC Health Serv Res, 21, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06034-3

Tamata, A. T., Mohammadnezhad, M., Tamani, L. (2021). Registered nurses’ perceptions on the factors affecting nursing shortage in the republic of vanuatu hospitals: a qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251890

NURS FPX 8030 Assessment 4 Methods and Measurement