Question

Post an explanation of how competing needs, such as the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients, may impact the development of policy. Then, describe any specific competing needs that may impact the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these competing needs? Be specific and provide examples.

Answer 1

How competing needs may impact the development of a policy

Competing needs, such as the needs of patients, workforce, and resources may impact the development of a policy.

Work force

Adequate nursing staff is needed to maintain the work force needs. To maintain the quality of the organization effective utilization of work force is needed. The ineffective utilization leads to shortage or oversupply of clinical staff. The work overload of the nurses leading to burnout, eventually affects the patient safety.The over number of staffs leads to economic insufficiencies.

Resources

Resources are the a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively.Proper supply and utilization of resources are essential to maintain a quality work. It will increases the efficiency in work. Inadequate supply of resources like materials, adequate staff leading to preventable patient deaths.

Patients

The resources and work force should be maintained in accordance with the number of patients.

The specific competing need that will impact the national health issue is increased workload.

Workload has an impact on the other needs like resources, patient and staff needs. High workload negatively affects the nurses job satisfaction and burnout. There by the turn over increases. The instability in work affects the productivity of the organization. It also affects the financial cost of the organization. Because the recruitment of new employees or temporary employees need adequate training. It increases the financial costs.

The policy might address these competing needs by ensuring adequate staff patient ratio. Optimal staff patient ratio can improve nurse staffing in organizations and improved care outcomes for patients. The standard nurse patient ratio of medical and surgical wards are 5:1, intensive care unit 1:1. In the labour room for first stage of labor 3:1 and second stage of labor 1:1.