Competency
Explain the process of policy-making in healthcare delivery.
Scenario
Your nursing leader has asked you to provide her with information regarding the legislation on California’s nursing union negotiated staffing ratios. You will prepare a policy briefing document that details the process and outcome associated with this piece of legislation. Your nursing leader will use this briefing document to guide her decision on whether this is a good policy to support in your state.
Instructions
Prepare a policy briefing document that:
Part One – Process of Legislation
- Answers the following questions:
- Does the research support that mandated ratios improved nurse turnover rates?
- Does the research support that mandated ratios improved patient outcomes?
- Exemplary explanation of the critical concern(s) that prompted this legislation, who proposed the issue, as well as who drafted and sponsored this legislation with comprehensive supporting details.
- Exemplary description of how long the process took and the steps taken from the initial idea to legislation implementation and the critical elements of the legislation that was passed with comprehensive supporting details.
- Thoroughly answers the questions regarding whether research supports improved nurse turnover rates and patient outcomes with comprehensive supporting details.
- Exemplary discussion of recommendations on whether your nursing leader should support working with other nurse leaders on similar legislation with comprehensive supporting details.
- Exemplary examination of at least two pros and two cons for your recommendation based on research with comprehensive supporting details.
- Provides stated ideas with professional language and attribution for credible sources with correct APA citation, spelling, and grammar in the policy briefing document. Please do this assignment using only research published within the past 5 years. Plagiarism free
Websites Suggestions
Spread Too Thin: The Case for Federally Mandated Minimum Nurse-To-Patient Ratios in Hospitals.
The Effects of Nurse Staffing on Quality of Care. (Martin, Crystal J)
California Healthcare Foundation (2009). Assessing the Impact of California’s Nurse Staffing Ratios on Hospitals and Patient Care Retrieved from
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The legislation on California’s nursing union negotiated staffing ratios has been a topic of interest in the healthcare industry. As a medical professor, it is important to understand the process of policy-making in healthcare delivery. In this context, a policy briefing document is prepared to explain the legislation process and outcome associated with this piece of legislation.
Answer:
The process of policy-making in healthcare delivery requires thorough research to determine the need for new policies. The critical concerns that prompted this legislation on California’s nursing union negotiated staffing ratios were due to the shortage of nursing staff and increased patient care needs. The nursing union proposed the issue, and the legislation was drafted and sponsored by the state of California.
The process took several years from the initial idea to the legislation’s implementation, with various steps taken to address the critical elements of the legislation. For instance, the bill was introduced, amended, and then passed by the California legislature. Additionally, the critical elements of the legislation were to enforce mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals and other healthcare facilities under the purview of the California Department of Health Services.
Studies have shown that mandated ratios have improved nurse turnover rates and patient outcomes in California hospitals and healthcare facilities. For instance, according to the California Healthcare Foundation (2009), the implementation of mandated staffing ratios led to reduced patient mortality rates and nurse burnout levels. Therefore, it is evident that the research supports mandated ratios’ role in improving nurse turnover rates and patient outcomes.
Based on the current state of nursing staff shortages and increased patient care needs, it is highly recommended that nursing leaders work with other nurse leaders to advocate for similar legislation. However, it is essential to consider the positive and negative effects of the policy. Therefore, two pros and two cons must be taken into account. Pros include improved patient care, while cons include increased costs to healthcare facilities.
In conclusion, healthcare delivery policies should have a clear legislative process and support from research and healthcare professionals. The policy briefing document prepares nursing leaders to make informed decisions when supporting new healthcare policies.
