Maltese nurses' perception of their expanded role.

Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Maltese nurses' perception of their expanded role. Abstract: The study aimed to identify if nurses are aware of the benefits and risks, and the legal implications of their expanded role. A descriptive research design was used to reach the aims of the study. All staff nurses working on the purposively chosen Surgical and Medical Wards, the Intensive Therapy Unit, the Coronary Care Unit and the Accident and Emergency Department and met the pre-set criteria constituted the sample population. Self-report questionnaires (n=107) were distributed with a response rate of 79% (n=83). Analysis of results was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the results it appears that nurses are willing to expand their role. They also hold a moderately positive attitude towards role expansion that was interpreted as a cautious approach. Statistical significance was achieved between the attitude mean score of surgical nurses and the nurses working in the Intensive Therapy Unit. Responses show that the term expanded role was not clear to some nurses. However, expanded activities are being performed regularly, sometimes ignoring the hospital's policy. It also appears that nurses are inclined to learning and keep updated about their role. A worrying result was that, some nurses are undertaking expanded activities when they do not feel competent in carrying out such activities. The legal knowledge about the expanded role is distorted, as related answers proved very inconsistent. Nurses appear to be in favour of certification and to work in the parameters of guidelines. A number of recommendations were put forward based on the findings of the study. Also further studies were suggested to explore more in depth various elements that emerged form the study. Description: M.SC.HEALTH SERVICES MANGT.

Developing a 'Nursing workload measurement system' for the surgical wards of an acute general hospital.

Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Developing a 'Nursing workload measurement system' for the surgical wards of an acute general hospital. Abstract: There exists no objective nursing allocation system in the Maltese Public Health Care Sector that enables nursing managers/administrators to make cost-efficient and cost-effective use of nursing labour. Through this study, the researcher attempted to develop a system through a bottom-up approach method, by which nursing managers can make. informed decisions regarding the use of nursing staff. Utilising a methodological/action research and a needs assessment approach, the study was carried out in one male general surgical ward, which was found to be representative of the whole general surgical department. Ten clinical nurses, five nursing and five management experts participated in the development of the system, while three hundred and thirty-two patients were assessed throughout the study. The commitment of prospective system's users was acquired; fifteen factors influencing nursing workload and sixty-five nursing activities were identified. Nursing activities were mainly grouped into 'Activities of daily livings' (ALs) and 'Therapeutic Activities' (TAs). Activities of Living Index scales were examined; five categories of care were established and defined for clarity. Initially, two separate instruments were developed but later amalgamated through mathematical calculations to produce a one whole final 'Patient Dependency Assessment Instrument'. Guidelines and scores were formulated. Nurses were trained how to use the system, and tested for interrater reliability thereafter. The newly developed tool was then tested for its internal consistency. An r of 0.876 was found between raters, and an r of 0.85 both with a p value of< 0.01 when two presumably parallel tools were correlated. The Patient Dependency Tool was found statistically valid and reliable. For the implementation of the system, certain issues such as deploying staff, changing rosters and changing old patterns of behaviour would need to be addressed. Description: M.SC.HEALTH SERVICES MANGT.

OAR@UM Collection:

Maltese nurses' perception of their expanded role.

Developing a 'Nursing workload measurement system' for the surgical wards of an acute general hospital.