Analyze a health or nursing profession public policy issue that impacts a group of people and requires a policy change

1. Analyze a Health or Nursing Profession Public Policy Issue:

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a. Reason for Selection: I have chosen to focus on the public policy issue of nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals. This issue is critical as it directly impacts patient safety, nursing workloads, and overall healthcare quality. It’s not limited to a single unit but affects nurses across various departments and organizations. b. Relevance to Health/Nursing: Nurse-to-patient ratios are crucial to maintaining high-quality patient care and preventing nurse burnout. According to Smith et al. (2020), proper staffing levels are associated with lower patient mortality rates and reduced nurse turnover. c. Financial Impact: Inadequate nurse staffing can lead to increased healthcare costs due to longer patient stays, higher readmission rates, and legal issues. A study by Needleman et al. (2019) showed that investing in appropriate nurse staffing leads to cost savings in the long run.

2. Values and Ethical Impact:

My perspective is rooted in the ethical principle of beneficence, which emphasizes doing good and promoting the well-being of patients. Ensuring safe nurse-to-patient ratios aligns with this principle, as it aims to provide optimal care and prevent harm to patients.

Policy Brief:

1. Identify the Decision Maker: To: [Name and Title of Decision Maker] Rationale: The issue of nurse-to-patient ratios requires your attention due to its significant impact on patient outcomes and nursing workforce stability. Research by Aiken et al. (2018) highlights the association between lower nurse-to-patient ratios and reduced patient mortality rates.

2. Challenges of Addressing the Public Policy Issue: The main challenges in addressing nurse-to-patient ratios include:

• Budget Constraints: Hospitals may resist hiring additional nurses due to financial limitations.
• Resistance to Change: Some stakeholders might resist altering existing practices.
• Complexity of Ratios: Determining appropriate ratios requires considering various factors, such as patient acuity and nursing skill mix.
• Workforce Shortages: There might be a shortage of qualified nurses available for hiring.

3. Proposed Solutions:

• Legislation: Enact laws mandating minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to ensure patient safety and nurse well-being.
• Financial Support: Allocate funds to healthcare institutions to hire more nurses and manage workload effectively.
• Research and Training: Invest in research to establish evidence-based staffing guidelines and provide training to nurses on workload management.

4. Benefits of Implementation:

• Improved Patient Outcomes: Adequate staffing leads to reduced medical errors and better patient outcomes.
• Nurse Well-Being: Proper ratios alleviate burnout and improve job satisfaction among nurses.
• Cost Savings: Preventing adverse events through optimal staffing reduces healthcare costs.

5. Conclusion:

Addressing nurse-to-patient ratios is not just a matter of policy; it’s an ethical obligation to prioritize patient safety and nurse well-being. Your support in implementing evidence-based staffing ratios will result in better healthcare quality and outcomes.

This outline covers the major aspects of your assignment, including analyzing the chosen policy issue, discussing the values and ethical principles guiding your perspective, and developing a policy brief with proposed solutions. Remember to incorporate up-to-date and relevant nursing research to support your arguments throughout both sections of the assignment.