Nursing management
-
Hospital workers are understandably concerned about the risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) as they perform their duties, so institutions throughout the United States are developing and implementing procedures to lower the risk of TB transmission in the healthcare setting. The TB infection control plan at University Hospital of Brooklyn is described.
-
States are struggling to devise politically acceptable ways to curb rising healthcare costs while improving access for their uninsured residents. In general, their reform strategies attempt to increase access to quality healthcare services, reform the health insurance industry, and control healthcare costs. Additionally, states have enacted laws that provide reform in the areas of medical malpractice, the health planning process, provider availability and scope of practice, the pharmaceutical industry, and the Medicaid program.
-
A Quality Assessment/Improvement/Competency Model, developed at Norwalk Hospital, provides objective data which fulfills Joint Commission QA/QI requirements. Simultaneously, this monitoring system provides for evaluation of clinical competence.
-
The widespread mediocrity perceived by nurse managers in their staffs can be viewed from a different perspective--the present state of society in general. This may enable leaders to deal with some of the prevailing staff attitudes as indicative of "problems of workers" rather than "problems workers." Seen in this way, they become amenable to innovative approaches--especially through empowerment of workers to be "part of the solution." Personnel who continue to grow and develop often can be encouraged to internalize a vision which will eliminate mediocrity, increase job satisfaction and improve patient care.
-
A study examining the relationship between staff nurses' perceptions of collegial support and job stressors reveal the importance of supportive relationships within the work environment. Identifying and reinforcing effective coping mechanisms and developing supportive relationships can enable a staff nurse to provide safe nursing care.