Introduction
Medical institutions are required to provide evidence-based care to their patients. Older patients are usually weak and frail. Such persons tend to have complex health needs. However, many hospitals do not have qualified caregivers to support these patients. Studies indicate that “older people’s wards are usually poorly staffed” (Hayes & Ball, 2012, p. 20). The article “Achieving Safe Staffing for Older People in Hospital” offers powerful guidelines that can support the needs of many elderly patients. The purpose of this essay is to give a detailed review of the above article. The essay will also describe how the presented ideas can be implemented in different healthcare organizations.
Review of the Article
The article begins by explaining why older patients require quality care. However, many hospitals do not have enough Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to take care of such patients. Wards with poor RN staffing have “inappropriate care activities” (Hayes & Ball, 2012, p. 23). More nurses and caregivers should be hired in order to provide quality care to such patients. Such RNs should also be encouraged to provide timely care (McConnell, Lekan, & Corazzini, 2010). New services such as counseling should be availed in such wards. Professional judgment is also critical whenever providing care to older patients. According to the authors, safe staffing practices and levels are critical to supporting the needs of many elderly populations. Such practices will eventually improve the quality of “mental, emotional, and spiritual care availed to every elderly patient” (Stone, 2013, p. 26).
Applications for Practice
The ideas and suggestions presented in this article can result in better patient care. The elderly should get the best medical support. However, the current nature of staffing does not support the health needs of such patients. Proper staffing practices “will ensure every older people’s ward has the right number of RNs” (Weinmeyer, 2014, p. 362). Nurses should also collaborate with other stakeholders in order to produce the best results. Such practices will have new implications for more patients and nurses.
Implications for Patients
The presented recommendations will ensure more patients get the best support. The practices will address the psychological and emotional problems affecting these patients. More patients will be able to present their problems (Hayes & Ball, 2012). They will also be involved in every healing process. They should also collaborate with their families in order to get the best health outcomes.
Implications for Nurses
Sufficient staffing will encourage more nurses to share their skills. They will also establish new teams in order to offer quality care. They will also embrace modern technologies and informatics. Such caregivers will collaborate with different stakeholders in order to produce the best results (MacAdam, 2008). The practice will also reduce the level of employee turnover. New platforms will also emerge in order to provide quality care to many elderly patients.
Assessment of the Article
I agree with this article because it addresses a major problem affecting many healthcare organizations. The current level of staffing makes it impossible for the elderly to get quality care (Buchan & Aiken, 2008). The authors have presented powerful recommendations that can support the needs of many patients. Such ideas can also be implemented in different healthcare settings. Patients and caregivers should also work together in order to get the best health outcomes. I will therefore read more articles in order to understand this issue much better.
Reference List
Buchan, J., & Aiken, L. (2008). Solving Nursing Shortages: A Common Priority. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(24), 3262-3268.
Hayes, N., & Ball, J. (2012). Achieving Safe Staffing for Older People in Hospital. Nursing Older People, 24(4), 20-24.
MacAdam, M. (2008). Frameworks of Integrated Care for the Elderly: A Systematic Review. CPRN Research Report, 1(1), 1-29.
McConnell, E., Lekan, D., & Corazzini, K. (2010). Assuring the Adequacy of Staffing of Long-Term Care, Strengthening the Care-giving Workforce, and Making Long-Term Care a Career Destination of Choice: From Mission Impossible to Mission Critical. NC Medical Journal, 71(2), 153-157.
Stone, R. (2013). Long-Term Care for the Elderly with Disabilities: Current Policy, Emerging Trends, and Implications for the Twenty-First Century. Milbank Memorial Fund, 1(1), 18-83.
Weinmeyer, R. (2014). Statutes to Combat Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes. AMA Journal of Ethics, 16(5), 359-364.