Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C H Smeltzer.
As financial changes affect hospitals and nursing budgets, nurse executives must know how to anticipate financial results and make aggressive decisions based upon the financial ramifications.
Several types of research programs can be developed in service settings. These can be categorized according to whether research is conducted, utilized, or facilitated. The challenges of integrating research into the clinical setting threads through each type of program. Several of the major challenges and strategies will be considered in this article. In addition, several types of research programs will be discussed, especially in terms of their policy implications.
As hospitals today are faced with numerous health care reform challenges, many are seeking the expertise of consulting organizations to help them achieve institutional objectives. The successful relationship between the nurse executive and the consultant is essential to the organization's ability to achieve defined institutional goals. The nurse executive and the consultant have specific roles to play and also share some common roles.
Redefining roles of patient caregivers as an element of work restructuring is essential to maintain and/or enhance an organization's efficiency in this competitive health care environment. This process works best when all levels and disciplines within the organization are involved and when meshed with senior management's leadership and vision.
Many health care facilities are implementing work restructuring to achieve cost reductions while maintaining or enhancing quality. This article is a compilation of the knowledge gained during this process at one institution. Nurse executives who consider work restructuring may benefit from an understanding of the lessons learned that are presented here.
Work restructuring at a 269-bed hospital resulted in a 20% reduction in the nursing operations budget. A complex process, work restructuring must be logical and requires both interdisciplinary workers and committed leadership.
One hospital's nursing staff used a structured process to challenge the purpose and function of the patient classification system. The result was internal development of a more effective system with significant cost savings.