Making a “Dream Team” in Long-Term Care: Factors Affecting Quality and Continuity of Care
Long-term care nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers that one can have. The number one priority of healthcare workers is to make sure they provide the best care possible to the residents for which they are responsible. While nursing has come a long way over the years, there are still many obstacles to overcome before healthcare workers can provide the highest level of care within their capabilities. In order for residents in long-term care facilities to receive the best continuity and quality care, as well as cost-efficient care, communication between healthcare providers and the overall environment for residents and employees …show more content…
Let’s start by looking at a factor that greatly affects the resident. Loss of appetite and weight is a common occurrence in residents of long-term care facilities. As a matter of fact, one-fourth of residents can suffer from extreme malnutrition at the time of admission or during their time in a long-term care facility. Residents can also suffer from anemia at the time of admission and during the time in the long- term care. These are two nutritional factors that can affect residents. In some cases, loss of appetite can be helped by simply making sure good oral and denture care is done before meals. If more action is needed in order to treat malnutrition in the resident, a physician may order supplements, such as high calorie protein shakes, to help the resident obtain the needed nutrients. A physician may also prescribe medication to help increase the resident’s appetite (Cooper 5). Nutritional factors can be overcome with the proper communication and execution of …show more content…
M. Ben Natan, A. Lowenstein, and Z. Eisikovits conducted a study of 22 nursing homes in Israel by sending out 600 questionnaires to be completed by the staff of long-term care facilities. The researchers also sent 24 questionnaires to the administrators of the facilities. Out of the 600 questionnaires sent out, only 85 percent was completed by the staff. However, 91.6 percent of the administrators completed the questionnaires sent out (Natan, Lowenestein, and Eisikovits 113). The results of the study were shocking. More than half of the staff in the long-term care facilities that completed the questionnaire reported witnessing maltreatment of the residents. An astonishing two-thirds of these reports were in the form of neglect (Natan, Lowenstein, and Eisikovits 113). When a healthcare worker witnesses another employee neglecting a resident in any way, the first thing the employee is supposed to do is ensure the resident’s safety. The following step the employee that witnessed the act should complete is to report the employee who committed neglect or abuse to the next person in the chain of command. For example, if a CNA witnesses another CNA neglecting a resident, they must first ensure the resident’s safety and then go to the charge nurse and report the CNA who performed the act. Let’s say a CNA observes their charge nurse doing a similar act. The CNA would then go to the next in the
Long-term care nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers that one can have. The number one priority of healthcare workers is to make sure they provide the best care possible to the residents for which they are responsible. While nursing has come a long way over the years, there are still many obstacles to overcome before healthcare workers can provide the highest level of care within their capabilities. In order for residents in long-term care facilities to receive the best continuity and quality care, as well as cost-efficient care, communication between healthcare providers and the overall environment for residents and employees …show more content…
Let’s start by looking at a factor that greatly affects the resident. Loss of appetite and weight is a common occurrence in residents of long-term care facilities. As a matter of fact, one-fourth of residents can suffer from extreme malnutrition at the time of admission or during their time in a long-term care facility. Residents can also suffer from anemia at the time of admission and during the time in the long- term care. These are two nutritional factors that can affect residents. In some cases, loss of appetite can be helped by simply making sure good oral and denture care is done before meals. If more action is needed in order to treat malnutrition in the resident, a physician may order supplements, such as high calorie protein shakes, to help the resident obtain the needed nutrients. A physician may also prescribe medication to help increase the resident’s appetite (Cooper 5). Nutritional factors can be overcome with the proper communication and execution of …show more content…
M. Ben Natan, A. Lowenstein, and Z. Eisikovits conducted a study of 22 nursing homes in Israel by sending out 600 questionnaires to be completed by the staff of long-term care facilities. The researchers also sent 24 questionnaires to the administrators of the facilities. Out of the 600 questionnaires sent out, only 85 percent was completed by the staff. However, 91.6 percent of the administrators completed the questionnaires sent out (Natan, Lowenestein, and Eisikovits 113). The results of the study were shocking. More than half of the staff in the long-term care facilities that completed the questionnaire reported witnessing maltreatment of the residents. An astonishing two-thirds of these reports were in the form of neglect (Natan, Lowenstein, and Eisikovits 113). When a healthcare worker witnesses another employee neglecting a resident in any way, the first thing the employee is supposed to do is ensure the resident’s safety. The following step the employee that witnessed the act should complete is to report the employee who committed neglect or abuse to the next person in the chain of command. For example, if a CNA witnesses another CNA neglecting a resident, they must first ensure the resident’s safety and then go to the charge nurse and report the CNA who performed the act. Let’s say a CNA observes their charge nurse doing a similar act. The CNA would then go to the next in the