Bill, Ann, and Connie are in different clinical sections at separate facilities. As they discuss their clinical experiences, they note some variances in nursing care delivery.

Bill, Ann, and Connie are in different clinical sections at separate facilities. As they discuss their clinical experiences, they note some variances in nursing care delivery. Bill says that at his facility there is one charge nurse who is responsible for the functions of others medication nurse, treatment nurse, several nursing assistants, and secretaries. Ann relates that her hospital uses a patient-focused care model, whereby the nurse supervises all those who come into contact with the patient. She explains that the aides are trained in dietary education and that the lab draws are done by the nurse. Connie describes how she participated in a meeting in which the dietitian, respiratory therapists, nurses, aides, and a physician met to discuss the more complicated patient cases. She explains how the facility uses a care map that shows each day and details outcomes the patient should achieve daily to move forward.

What are the three patterns of nursing care delivery described?

Although each of the various models works toward quality patient care, which pattern of care delivery makes the best use of available resources? Defend your answer.

ANSWER

Analyzing Patterns of Nursing Care Delivery: Optimal Resource Utilization

Introduction

Effective nursing care delivery is crucial for ensuring quality patient outcomes. Different healthcare facilities employ various patterns of care delivery to meet the unique needs of their patients. In this essay, we will explore and compare three patterns of nursing care delivery: the functional nursing model, the patient-focused care model, and the interdisciplinary team approach. Additionally, we will discuss which of these patterns makes the best use of available resources, taking into account factors such as efficiency, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness.

Pattern 1: Functional Nursing Model

Bill describes the functional nursing model at his facility, where one charge nurse oversees the functions of multiple healthcare professionals such as medication nurses, treatment nurses, nursing assistants, and secretaries. In this model, each healthcare professional has a specific role, and their responsibilities are often divided based on tasks (Toney-Butler, 2023). While this model allows for specialization and efficient task completion, it may lead to fragmented care and reduced continuity, as different professionals are responsible for specific aspects of patient care.

Pattern 2: Patient-Focused Care Model

Ann shares her experience with the patient-focused care model, which emphasizes the nurse’s role in supervising all individuals who interact with the patient. In this model, the nurse takes a holistic approach and is responsible for coordinating and providing comprehensive care. This includes tasks traditionally assigned to other healthcare professionals, such as dietary education and performing lab draws (National Academies Press (US), 2021). The patient-focused care model promotes continuity, patient satisfaction, and a strong nurse-patient relationship. It recognizes the nurse’s central role in managing patient care and ensures a personalized approach tailored to the individual’s needs.

Pattern 3: Interdisciplinary Team Approach

Connie describes a meeting at her facility where a team consisting of various healthcare professionals, including dietitians, respiratory therapists, nurses, aides, and physicians, gathered to discuss complex patient cases. This approach, known as the interdisciplinary team approach, encourages collaboration and shared decision-making among professionals from different disciplines (Jones et al., 2020). The team creates care maps that outline daily goals and expected outcomes for patients. This approach promotes communication, enhances knowledge-sharing, and allows for comprehensive care planning based on the expertise of multiple professionals.

Optimal Resource Utilization

When considering the optimal use of available resources, the patient-focused care model stands out. This model allows for the efficient allocation of nursing resources, as the nurse takes on a central and comprehensive role in coordinating and providing care. By eliminating the need for specialized professionals for certain tasks, such as dietary education and lab draws, the patient-focused care model maximizes the utilization of nursing staff.

Furthermore, the patient-focused care model fosters continuity and a strong nurse-patient relationship. This contributes to improved patient outcomes and higher levels of patient satisfaction. Patients benefit from having a single point of contact for their care, which enhances communication and ensures personalized attention. Additionally, the patient-focused care model allows nurses to develop a deeper understanding of their patients’ needs, leading to more effective care planning and interventions.

Moreover, the patient-focused care model promotes cost-effectiveness by streamlining care delivery. Healthcare facilities can optimize staffing levels and allocate resources more efficiently by reducing the need for multiple specialised professionals. This model minimizes the risk of duplicated efforts and redundant services, resulting in potential cost savings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the functional nursing model, patient-focused care model, and interdisciplinary team approach represent distinct patterns of nursing care delivery. While each model contributes to quality patient care, the patient-focused care model stands out as the optimal choice for making the best use of available resources. By centralizing the nurse’s role in coordinating and providing comprehensive care, this model maximizes resource utilization, enhances continuity, improves patient satisfaction, and promotes cost-effectiveness. Healthcare facilities should consider adopting the patient-focused care model to optimize resource allocation and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

References

Jones, T., Newsome, A. S., Smith, S. M., & Forehand, C. (2020). Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making. Critical Care Medicine, 48(2), e158–e159. https://doi.org/10.1097/ccm.0000000000004029 

Toney-Butler, T. J. (2023, January 2). Florida Nurse Practice Act Laws and Rules. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532859/ 

National Academies Press (US). (2021, May 11). The Role of Nurses in Improving Health Care Access and Quality. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/