NSG 4029 Week 2 Discussion
What system is used to determine staffing on your unit?
In general, staffing on a normal clinical unit is determined by various factors, including the understanding of the team, the number of patients on the team, the number of staff members available, and the unit’s specific needs. In some cases, staffing may also be determined by the availability of resources, such as equipment or medication. In most cases, staffing on a normal clinical unit is based on a shift system. This means that a certain number of staff members are assigned to the team for each shift.
The number of staff members may vary depending on the time of day or night and the unit’s specific needs. In some cases, staffing may also be determined by the number of patients on the team. For example, a team with a high number of patients may require more staff members than a unit with a low number of patients. The specific needs of the team will also play a role in staffing. For example, a group that provides a high level of care may require more staff members than a unit that offers a low level of care.
Units that provide a higher level of care may also require specialized staff members, such as nurses with specific training or experience. Generally, staffing on a normal clinical unit is determined by various factors. These factors include the understanding of the team, the number of patients on the team, the number of staff members available, the specific needs of the team, and the availability of resources.
A patient classification system? What type do they use? Commercial? Hospital developed?
A few different types of patient classification systems are used in clinical settings. The most common type is the commercial patient classification system. This type of system is typically developed by a company specializing in healthcare software. The other kind of system is a hospital-acquired patient classification system. These systems are usually created by a team of clinicians and IT staff within the hospital.
The main difference between the two types of systems is that commercial patient classification systems are typically more expensive and have more features. Hospital-developed patient classification systems generally are less costly and have fewer features. However, both types of methods can effectively staff a unit. Commercial patient classification systems usually use a variety of factors to determine how well a team is staffed. These factors can include the number of patients, the severity of their illness, the type of procedures being performed, and the length of stay.
Hospital-developed patient classification systems typically use fewer factors to determine staffing levels. These factors can include the number of patients, the type of procedures being performed, and the length of stay. Both commercial and hospital-developed patient classification systems have their strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the decision of which type of system to use depends on the specific needs of the clinical setting.
Nurse-to-patient ratios? What is the typical nurse-to-patient ratio?
The staffing of a clinical setting can vary depending on the specific unit. Most teams generally have a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4 or 1:5. There is one nurse for every four or five patients. This ratio allows nurses to provide quality care and attention to each patient. Sometimes, the nurse-to-patient percentage may be higher or lower depending on the unit’s needs. For example, the nurse-to-patient ratio in a critical care unit may be higher because the patients require more intensive care.
The staffing of a clinical setting is important in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. When a unit is properly staffed, nurses can provide quality care and attention to each patient. This can help to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Several factors can impact the staffing of a clinical setting. The type of unit, the understanding of the patients, and the availability of staff can all play a role.
In some cases, a unit’s staffing may be flexible to meet the needs of the patients. Overall, the staffing of a clinical setting is important in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. Proper staffing can help to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
What is the typical staff mix on the unit?
The typical staff mix on a unit in a normal clinical setting may vary depending on the unit type but typically includes a combination of nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and other medical professionals. The staff mix may also vary depending on the specific needs of the patients on the unit. Generally, a typical staff mix on a team in a normal clinical setting includes a combination of nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and other medical professionals.
The staff mix may also vary depending on the specific needs of the patients on the unit. For example, a team that cares for patients with chronic illnesses may have a higher ratio of nurses to doctors than a unit specializing in acute care. The staff mix on a team in a normal clinical setting is typically designed to provide the best possible care for the patients on the team. The staff mix may be adjusted as needed to meet the changing needs of the patients.
Does your unit utilize LPNs/LVNs?
Non-licensed personnel work in clinical settings, such as medical assistants, phlebotomists, and unit clerks. These staff members are important in providing patient care and running the unit smoothly. To determine how well a team staffs its team, it is important to consider the staffing ratio of licensed to non-licensed personnel. Ideally, the staffing ratio of licensed to non-licensed personnel should be 1:1.
This ensures adequate patient coverage and that staff members can support each other. However, in many units, the staffing ratio is not 1:1. This can lead to problems, such as patients not receiving the care they need, staff members feeling overworked, and unit morale suffering. If a unit does not staff its team adequately, it can hurt patient care. To ensure patients receive the best care, units should staff their teams appropriately.
There are a variety of factors that can impact the staffing ratio of licensed to non-licensed personnel. The type of unit, the understanding of the patients, and the number of staff members on vacation or out sick can all impact the staffing ratio. Teams should know these factors and plan to ensure they are adequately staffed.
Does your unit utilize other non-licensed personnel?
The ideal staffing for a clinical unit depends on the type of unit and the patient population being cared for. In general, the staff should be composed of licensed and unlicensed personnel. The licensed personnel should include a physician, nurse, and other health care professionals. The unlicensed personnel should consist of a mix of support staff, such as environmental services, dietary, and clerical staff.
The ratio of licensed to unlicensed personnel will vary depending on the unit type and patient population. The staffing of a clinical unit should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is adequate for the team’s needs. The staff should be able to care for the patients safely and effectively. If the group is not good, the department may be understaffed, and the quality of care may suffer. One way to determine if a clinical team is adequately staffed is to observe the staff during their workday.
If the staff seems stressed or overworked, it may indicate that the unit is understaffed. Reviewing the patient care records is another way to determine if a team is adequately staffed. If there are a lot of errors or omissions in the documents, it may indicate that the staff cannot keep up with the unit’s demands.
NSG 4029 Week 2 Discussion
Are staff cross-trained to cover multiple positions?
The staff is cross-trained to cover multiple positions in a normal clinical setting. This allows for a more efficient workflow and helps ensure that all tasks are completed on time. Some parts may be more specialized and require additional training, but staff can generally cover multiple roles. This helps to keep the unit running smoothly and efficiently. There are a variety of factors that contribute to how well a normal clinical setting staffs their team. One of the most important factors is the staff’s level of experience.
More experienced staff are typically better able to handle various tasks and be more flexible in their roles. Another important factor is the size of the unit. Larger units may require more staff to cover all of the necessary positions. Finally, the type of patients being treated in the team can also impact staffing levels. Units that treat more acutely ill patients may require more staff to provide the necessary level of care.
Overall, a normal clinical setting typically staffs their unit quite well. Staff are cross-trained to cover multiple positions, which helps ensure that all tasks are completed on time. Some parts may be more specialized and require additional training, but staff can generally cover multiple roles. This helps to keep the unit running smoothly and efficiently.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we communicate with interprofessional teams and patients. Respond to the following questions:
How has communication with patients changed? Provide examples.
The pandemic changed how we communicate with family, friends, and the public. The stay-at-home orders forced physicians to turn to telemedicine to stay connected to their patients. (Zarefsky, 2020) This is in the form of over-the-phone communication as well as video communication. This provided the physicians and patients with a safe way to get seen by their physicians and manage their health.
What are you doing to better communicate with patients and families?
I am communicating with family members in person now, but we utilized FaceTime or phone calls during the pandemic when visitors were restricted in the hospital. I think it’s very important to keep the family updated, especially in places where travel is still limited, and families haven’t seen one another for a few years. I run into that situation occasionally, especially because I live in Florida, and we get a lot of Canadian “snowbirds” that have been stuck here because Canada wasn’t allowing travel for a long time.
How has communication among the interprofessional team changed?
Before the pandemic, Interprofessional communication was mostly done in person with patients in the office; during the pandemic, it switched gears to online video appointments, phone calls, or telehealth visits. The changing roles of the Interprofessional team seemed to shift gears or parts across each profession. Some were about to make a smooth transition, while others could not contribute to virtual care as their work was incompatible or it wasn’t easy to perform through virtual visits.
What needs to happen to make interprofessional communication better?
Team members need to learn how to work together cooperatively, how to communicate with one another meaningfully, and how to make good healthcare decisions together. Team members need to share important information concerning the patient and their treatment. Each member can contribute knowledge and information regarding treatment. Administrators and all ancillary staff need to be on the same page regarding care. Each team member contributes their specialized knowledge and experiences relevant to the healthcare situation that can help the team make better-informed decisions. (Kreps, 2017)
References
Kreps, G. L. (2017). Communication and effective interprofessional health care teams. ClinMed International Library. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://doi.org/https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ianhc/international-archives-of-nursing-and-health-care-ianhc-2-051.php?jid=ianhc
Zarefsky, M. (2020). 5 huge ways the pandemic has changed telemedicine. AMA. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://doi.org/https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital/5-huge-ways-pandemic-has-changed-telemedicine
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Question 
NSG 4029 Week 2 Discussion
Topic 1
Determine how well your clinical setting staffs their unit:
- What system is used to determine staffing on your unit?
- A patient classification system? What type do they use? Commercial? Hospital developed?
- Nurse-to-patient ratios? What is the typical nurse-to-patient ratio?
- What is the usual staff mix on the unit?
- Does your team utilize LPNs/LVNs?
- Does your team use other non-licensed personnel?
- Are staff cross-trained to cover multiple positions?
Topic 2
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we normally communicate with the interprofessional team and patients. Respond to the following questions: How has communication with patients changed? Provide examples. What are you doing to better communicate with patients and families? How has communication among the interprofessional team changed? What needs to happen to make interprofessional communication better?