Thinking beyond numbers:nursing staff and quality of care in nursing homes

The quality of care in Dutch nursing homes is a popular topic, with continuous calls for more hands-on care. The assumption is that more or more highly-trained staff will increase the quality of care. Based on this dissertation, there is no evidence to suggest that more staff will lead to higher-quality care. A large-scale study carried out at 282 nursing home units reveals that there are too few vocational nurses at Dutch nursing homes to objectively determine their impact on the quality of care. It was found that vocational nurses can indeed contribute to a positive team climate and can serve as leaders in the workplace. The results also demonstrate that organisations with a clear vision about the use of vocational nurses are more equipped to recruit and bind these nurses. Nursing homes can only become attractive internship organisations for vocational nurses-in-training if they have vocational role models who are held accountable for their skills

Employees' views on home-based, after-hours telephone triage by Dutch GP cooperatives

__Abstract__ __Background:__ Dutch out-of-hours (OOH) centers find it difficult to attract sufficient triage staff. They regard home-based triage as an option that might attract employees. Specially trained nurses are supposed to conduct triage by telephone from home for after-hours medical care. The central aim of this research is to investigate the views of employees of OOH centers in The Netherlands on home-based telephone triage in after-hours care. Methods: The study is a Q methodology study. Triage nurses, general practitioners (GPs) and managers of OOH centers ranked 36 opinion statements on home-based triage. We interviewed 10 participants to help develop and validate the statements for the Q sort, and 77 participants did the Q sort. __Results__: We identified four views on home-based telephone triage. Two generally favor home-based triage, one highlights some concerns and conditions, and one opposes it out of concern for quality. The four views perceive different sources of credibility for nurse triagists working from home. __Conclusion__: Home-based telephone triage is a controversial issue among triage nurses, GPs and managers of OOH centers. By identifying consensus and dissension among GPs, triagists, managers and regulators, this study generates four perspectives on home-based triage. In addition, it reveals the conditions considered important for home-based triage

Ouderen van vitaal belang?!

Verslag 13e Nationaal Gerontologiecongres Op vrijdag 2 oktober 2015 organiseerde de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Gerontologie: Kennisnetwerk Ouder Worden en Samenleving (NVG-KNOWS) het 13e Nationaal Gerontologiecongres in De Reehorst te Ede. Het centrale thema was: ‘Ouderen van vitaal belang?!’

Who is that nurse?:Transferring knowledge requires clarity about professional titles

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Allowing Visitors Back in the Nursing Home During the COVID-19 Crisis:A Dutch National Study Into First Experiences and Impact on Well-Being

Objectives: To prevent and control COVID-19 infections, nursing homes across the world have taken very restrictive measures, including a ban for visitors. These restrictive measures have an enormous impact on residents' well-being and pose dilemmas for staff, although primary data are lacking. A Dutch guideline was developed to cautiously open nursing homes for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports the first findings on how the guideline was applied in the local context; the compliance to local protocols; and the impact on well-being of residents, their family caregivers, and staff.Design: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted.Setting and Participants: In total, 26 nursing homes were permitted to enlarge their possibilities for allowing visitors in their facility. These nursing homes were proportionally representative of the Netherlands as they were selected by their local Area Health Authority for participation. At each nursing home, a contact person was selected for participation in the current study.Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of questionnaire, telephone interviews, analyses of documentation (ie, local visiting protocols), and a WhatsApp group.Results: Variation in local protocols was observed, for example, related to the use of personal protective equipment, location, and supervision of visits. In general, experiences were very positive. All nursing homes recognized the added value of real and personal contact between residents and their loved ones and indicated a positive impact on well-being. Compliance with local guidelines was sufficient to good. No new COVID-19 infections were reported during this time.Conclusions and Implications: These results indicate the value of family visitation in nursing homes and positive impact of visits. Based on these results, the Dutch government has decided to allow all nursing homes in the Netherlands to cautiously open their homes using the guidelines. More research is needed on impact and long-term compliance. (C) 2020 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.</p

How to Position, Attract and Retain Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes::A Qualitative, Explorative Study

Context: In most countries, registered nurse retention and role development in nursing homes is a challenge.Objective: To obtain insight into factors contributing to successful retention of registered nurses in nursing homes and into how to differentiate the role of vocationally trained registered nurses and baccalaureate-educated registered nurses.Method: A qualitative, descriptive, explorative study. In June 2019, World Café was held, a method for hosting group dialogs, in which direct care professionals, managers, human resources employees, and teachers participated. A theme-based content analysis was used to analyze data.Findings: Identified factors expected to contribute to retention were role clarity, role content, role model availability, room for professional development, learning on the job, a match between education and actual work, management and board-level support, adequate salaries, and a positive image of working in nursing homes. Vocationally trained registered nurses were considered to perform a key role resident care by serving as case managers. Baccalaureate-educated registered nurses were considered to focus on indirect care (e.g., coaching staff, stimulating evidence-based practices, implementing innovations).Limitations: Due to the limited sample size and the qualitative, explorative nature of the study, findings can only be generalized with caution.Implications: To refine registered nurse roles in nursing homes, it seems crucial to rethink the current roles and hierarchies. Even though management and human resources departments are considered responsible for contributing to role clarity and the creation of supportive practice environments, the registered nurses themselves are also expected to come up with their role.</p