For this assessment, you will develop a 3–5-page paper that examines a safety quality issue in
a health care setting. You will analyze the issue and examine potential evidence-based and
best-practice solutions from the literature as well as the role of nurses and other stakeholders in
addressing the issue.
Before you complete the instructions detailed in the courseroom, first select one of the safety
quality issues below to analyze for this assessment. After you have selected one of the issues
from the list below, return to the detailed instructions in the courseroom to complete your assessment
Staffing Shortages in Healthcare: The adequacy of staffing in healthcare settings
directly impacts the quality of care, safety, and overall functioning of the institution.
Here’s why understanding the implications of staffing shortages is crucial:
o Patient Safety and Quality of Care: With fewer staff members, each individual
is often required to manage a larger number of patients. This increased workload
can lead to oversights, missed care, delayed responses to patient needs, and a
higher likelihood of errors in medication administration or treatment.
o Burnout and Mental Health: Continuously working in understaffed conditions
places immense stress on healthcare professionals. The constant pressure, long
hours, and emotional toll of not being able to provide optimal care can lead to
burnout, depression, and other mental health issues.
o Physical Health Risks: Extended shifts and fewer breaks due to staffing
shortages can result in physical exhaustion. Over time, this can lead to chronic
health issues, increased susceptibility to illnesses, and a higher risk of workplace
injuries.
o Decreased Patient Satisfaction: Patients are keenly aware when staff are
rushed, unavailable, or too busy to attend to their needs. This can lead to
feelings of neglect, dissatisfaction, and a lack of trust in the healthcare system.
o Increased Turnover: Chronic staffing shortages can lead to a vicious cycle
where overwhelmed staff members leave their positions in search of better
working conditions, further exacerbating the shortage. This turnover also means
a loss of experienced staff, which can impact the quality of care.
o Economic Implications: While it might seem counterintuitive, staffing shortages
can lead to increased costs for healthcare institutions. Costs associated with
hiring and training new staff, overtime pay, and potential lawsuits or penalties
due to errors can add up.
o Educational and Mentorship Opportunities: For nursing students and new
graduates, mentorship from experienced nurses is invaluable. However, in
understaffed settings, experienced nurses may not have the time or energy to
2
provide guidance, potentially impacting the quality of training and professional
development for newer nurses.
o Team Dynamics and Morale: Working in a consistently understaffed
environment can strain team dynamics.
The constant pressure can lead to tensions, miscommunications, and conflicts, further impacting the quality of careand the workplace environment.
Instructions
For this assessment, you will analyze a safety quality issue in a health care setting and identify a quality improvement (QI) initiative.
Be sure that your plan addresses the following, which corresponds to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Please study the scoring guide carefully so that you know what is needed for a distinguished score.
Explain factors leading to a specific patient-safety risk in a health care setting.
Explain evidence-based and best-practice solutions to improve patient safety and reduce costs.
Explain how nurses can help coordinate care to increase patient safety and reduce costs.
Identify stakeholders with whom nurses would coordinate to drive safety enhancements with a specific safety quality issue.
Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional, with correct grammar and spelling, using current APA style.
Length of submission: 3–5 pages, plus title and reference pages.
Number of references: Cite a minimum of 4 sources of scholarly or professional evidence that support your findings and considerations. Resources should be no more than 5 years old.
APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style.
