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Improving the Staffing Structure at an Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Facility
Improving the Staffing Structure at an Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Facility
Gap Analysis, Summary, and SMART Objectives
Gap Analysis, Summary, and SMART Objectives
A review of the current practices was conducted and compared to the ideal state. Current practices at the Pocasset Mental Health Center are not supportive of providing high quality care within an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. This acute unit serves individuals with complex mental health needs often complicated by medical comorbidities and requires a high nurse ratio supported by strong nursing leadership. Instead of a nurse manager, the next-highest leadership position to the director of nursing is the nursing care coordinator. The NCC role is the same hierarchical level as the unit charge nurse/ supervisor. The current staffing pattern does not include or provide support for a milieu manager or calculating necessary number of RNs based on acuity, census, patient flow and productivity measures. The present staffing workflow is haphazard at times, with few clearly identified therapeutic activities designated specifically to nursing staff. The acuity level coupled with the low staffing levels prohibits learning time and time to complete mandatory trainings. The milieu manager is not a role that is utilized.
A review of the current practices was conducted and compared to the ideal state. Current practices at the Pocasset Mental Health Center are not supportive of providing high quality care within an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. This acute unit serves individuals with complex mental health needs often complicated by medical comorbidities and requires a high nurse ratio supported by strong nursing leadership. Instead of a nurse manager, the next-highest leadership position to the director of nursing is the nursing care coordinator. The NCC role is the same hierarchical level as the unit charge nurse/ supervisor. The current staffing pattern does not include or provide support for a milieu manager or calculating necessary number of RNs based on acuity, census, patient flow and productivity measures. The present staffing workflow is haphazard at times, with few clearly identified therapeutic activities designated specifically to nursing staff. The acuity level coupled with the low staffing levels prohibits learning time and time to complete mandatory trainings. The milieu manager is not a role that is utilized.
Danielle Sullivan, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing, Pocasset Mental Health Center
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