Mandating Nurse-Patient Ratio - Assignment Example

Mandating Nurse-Patient Ratio The global health care systems are faced with limited resources and increased demand for health services. The base of seeking support is related to the following proof: Nursing organizations have, for a long time, reported the shortage of the personnel required in the provision of the high quality care (Aiken, Xue, Clarke & Sloane, 2007). The recent large scale research on nursing shortage indicates that the current nurse patient ratio is 1:4. The increase in the work load resulted into the increased probability of fatality among patients i.e. 14 per cent within 30 days of admission (Mark, 2009). Addition of one patient among nurses’ workload leads to a seven percent increase in the mortality rate emanating from common surgeries. Increased workloads also lead to nurse burn-out and job dissatisfaction that acts as precursors of voluntary turnover (Aiken et al, 2007; Kane et al, 2007). Increased nurse staffing levels reduce the number of urinary-tract infections, pneumonia as well other ailments required for capital ailments (Rafferty et al., 2007). Comprehensive studies undertaken by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) confirms that there is a relationship between nurse staffing and health care outcomes (Kane et al., 2007). An increase in the nurse staffing leads to a reduction in the prevalence and mortality rates caused by treatable diseases. Although there may be other strategies required for improving hospital nurse number, improved nurse staffing is the most effective in the achievement of proper outcomes for both nurses and patients. The solution to the problem requires the input of the legislative arms in enacting regulations that addresses the shortage. Strategies to Influence Votes At the local level, nurses should be encouraged to use the reward power when lobbying for support from the legislators. The candidates should only be assured of votes if they offer their support to the health issue (Abood, 2007). The hospitals should be required to establish nurse controlled staffing committees. This creates the strategies necessary for matching the patient population with the available staffing. The results from such committee are presented to the legislative members to provide them with the real problem for support. At the state level, nurses should be involved in the sponsoring of the annual state legislative days to arrest the attention of legislators and influential leaders. The legislative days will be characterized by fellowships and internships that offer information on the importance of maintaining suitable nursing ratios for effective health care delivery. These workshops will bring nurses together and raise awareness on the current health care issues. Once the nurses are made aware of the situation, they can identify the pros and cons of the necessary solutions to the problem. Awareness will also motivate individual nurses to attract the involvement of colleagues in the issue. This leads to the formation of majority members required in encouraging the legislators in enacting the required changes in nursing. Focus on media will also play an eminent role in educating the public and politicians on the issue. This will win the required support from the public and nongovernment organizations. Increasing My Power to Influence Votes Individual efforts are eminent in mobilizing votes. The prominent strategy is the development of communication skills necessary for influencing other people to listen and gain insight on the problem as well as the proposed solutions. Another personal strategy will entail joining professional nursing organizations with political affiliations. This will offer a chance to interact and influence professional lobbyists capable of influencing the necessary amendments among the ruling elite. Personal involvement will allow sharing of detailed information on the issue. This will ensure commitment among lobbyists. Professional organizations have access to more resources essential for funding the strategies necessary for presenting the nurses’ perspective to the public compared to individual nurses (Aikan et al., 2010). The membership power within nursing organizations will enable me support those candidates who are supportive of the amendments. Registration is an eminent strategy in offering the required individual effort required for influencing votes of legislators on the improvement of nurse-patient ratios. Membership to this association will provide a perfect opportunity for interacting with those in power. Interaction with leaders will enable me understand their stand on nurse-patient ratio issue and seize the opportunity to pledge for their support. Capitalizing on nursing expertise is an essential strategy as an individual has the opportunity to influence the opinions of leaders as well as that of the public. Expertise provides individuals with credibility to offer influential opinions on the health care issues. Identifying the key players is a crucial strategy geared towards winning support. The key players have the potential to affect the result of the proposed legislation. Detailed understanding of the legislation will equip me with the necessary information required for winning support. The legislators will be more responsive to a person who understands the legislative process. Understanding of the process will be necessary in transforming of the problem to a viable program. References Abood, S. (2007). Influencing health care in the legislative arena. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 12(1), 12 pp. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume122007/No1Jan07/tpc32_216091.aspx Aikan, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Cimiotti, J. P., Clarke, S. P., Flynn, L., Seago, J. A., Spetz, J., & Smith, H. (2010). Implications of the California nurse staffing mandate for other states. Health Services Research. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/chopr/Documents/Aiken.2010.CaliforniaStaffing Ratios.pdf Aiken, L. H., Xue, Y. Clarke, S. P. and Sloane, D. M. (2007). ‘‘Supplemental Nurse Staffing in Hospitals and Quality of Care.’ Journal of Nursing Administration, 37(7): 335–42. Kane, R. L., Shamliyan, T. A., Mueller, C. S., & Wilt, T. J. (2007). ‘‘The As-sociation of Registered nurse Staffing Levels and Patient Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Medical Care 45(12): 1195–204. Mark, B., Harless, D. W., & Spetz, J. (2009). ‘‘California’s Minimum-Nurse-Staffing Legislation and Nurses’ Wages’’ Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/hlthaff.28.2.w326. Health Affairs – Web Exclusive, 28(2): 326–34. Rafferty, A. M., S. P. Clarke, J. Coles, J. Ball, P. James, M. McKee, and L. H. Aiken, (2007). “Outcomes of Variation in Hospital Nurse Staffing in English Hospitals: Implications of the California Nurse Staffing 17 Cross-Sectional Analysis of Survey Data and Discharge Records. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 44: 175–82. Read More