How registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and resident aides spend time in nursing homes: An observational study. Issue 9 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCloskey, Rose; Donovan, Cindy; Stewart, Connie; Donovan, Alicia
• Is Part Of: International journal of nursing studies. Volume 52:Issue 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1475
• Page End: 1483
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Nursing; Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7489

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sect0010">Background</title> <p id="spar0005">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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0015">Objectives</title> <p id="spar0010">To explore the activities of care providers in different nursing homes and to identify if variations exist within and across homes and shifts.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0020">Methods</title> <p id="spar0015">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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0025">Results</title> <p id="spar0020">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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sect0030">Conclusions</title> <p id="spar0025">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.</p> </sec> </abstract>