*Chapter 14: Organizing Patient Care* - correct answer
Choosing Organizational Models
-How are methods of organizing patient care chosen?
-Choosing an appropriate model depends on what? - correct answer -Many nursing
departments have a history of selecting methods of organizing patient care based upon the most
current popular mode rather than objectively determining the best method for a particular unit or
department
-Choosing the most appropriate organizational mode to deliver patient care for each unit or organization
depends on the skill and expertise of the staff, the availability of registered professional nurses, the
economic resources of the organization, the acuity of the patients, and the complexity of the tasks to be
completed.
Changing the Patient Care Delivery Mode:
Questions the Change Agent Must Ask - correct answer 1. How will the
reorganization alter autonomy and individual and group decision making?
2. How will social interactions and interpersonal relationships change?
3. Will employees view their unit of work differently?
4. Will the change require a wider or more restricted range of skills and abilities on the part of the
caregiver?
5. Will the redesign change how employees receive feedback on their performance, either for self-
evaluation or by others?
6. Will communication patterns change?
The Five Primary Means of Organizing Nursing Care for Patient Care Delivery: - correct answer
Total patient care
Functional nursing
Team and modular nursing
Primary nursing
Case management
Total Patient Care/Case Method Nursing - correct answer -Oldest mode of organizing
patient care.
, -Nurses assume total responsibility for meeting the needs of all assigned patients during their time on
duty.
-Pros: has autonomy and responsibility, as well as a clear role
-Cons: With there being three different shifts, there are three different nurses providing care who may
have different approaches. This leads to a lack of continuity of care and could confuse the patient. Other
cons are nurses who have too little experience or training to provide total patient care.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Functional Nursing - correct answer -Evolved as a result of World War II.
-Uses relatively unskilled workers who have been trained to complete certain tasks.
-Care is assigned by task rather than by patient.
-The nurse is not providing direct patient care. The nurse is a manager who directs others to care for
patients and to complete tasks.
-Pros: This mode is very efficient—tasks are done quickly with little confusion on what needs to be done.
Requires a minimal number of RNs and long-term care facilities still use this mode.
-Cons: Consist of possible fragmented care, overlooking the patient's primary needs, low job satisfaction
due to feelings of understimulation, lack of cost effectiveness because of the need for more
coordinators, and employees focusing on only their efforts rather than overall results.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Team Nursing - correct answer -Ancillary personnel collaborate in providing care to a
group of patients under the direction of a professional nurse.
-The nurse as the leader knows about the patients' conditions and the plan of care for each.
-Pros: More economical; democratic leadership style—group members have as much autonomy as
possible but responsibility and accountability are shared; contribution of special skills/expertise.
-Cons: Requires extensive team communication and regular team planning conferences; Insufficient
time for team care planning and communication leading to errors and fragmented patient care.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Modular Nursing - correct answer -Mini-team of two or three members with at least
one member who is the RN.
-Pairs professional nurses with ancillary staff to deliver care to groups of patients.
-Used frequently during the 1980s and 1990s.
Choosing Organizational Models
-How are methods of organizing patient care chosen?
-Choosing an appropriate model depends on what? - correct answer -Many nursing
departments have a history of selecting methods of organizing patient care based upon the most
current popular mode rather than objectively determining the best method for a particular unit or
department
-Choosing the most appropriate organizational mode to deliver patient care for each unit or organization
depends on the skill and expertise of the staff, the availability of registered professional nurses, the
economic resources of the organization, the acuity of the patients, and the complexity of the tasks to be
completed.
Changing the Patient Care Delivery Mode:
Questions the Change Agent Must Ask - correct answer 1. How will the
reorganization alter autonomy and individual and group decision making?
2. How will social interactions and interpersonal relationships change?
3. Will employees view their unit of work differently?
4. Will the change require a wider or more restricted range of skills and abilities on the part of the
caregiver?
5. Will the redesign change how employees receive feedback on their performance, either for self-
evaluation or by others?
6. Will communication patterns change?
The Five Primary Means of Organizing Nursing Care for Patient Care Delivery: - correct answer
Total patient care
Functional nursing
Team and modular nursing
Primary nursing
Case management
Total Patient Care/Case Method Nursing - correct answer -Oldest mode of organizing
patient care.
, -Nurses assume total responsibility for meeting the needs of all assigned patients during their time on
duty.
-Pros: has autonomy and responsibility, as well as a clear role
-Cons: With there being three different shifts, there are three different nurses providing care who may
have different approaches. This leads to a lack of continuity of care and could confuse the patient. Other
cons are nurses who have too little experience or training to provide total patient care.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Functional Nursing - correct answer -Evolved as a result of World War II.
-Uses relatively unskilled workers who have been trained to complete certain tasks.
-Care is assigned by task rather than by patient.
-The nurse is not providing direct patient care. The nurse is a manager who directs others to care for
patients and to complete tasks.
-Pros: This mode is very efficient—tasks are done quickly with little confusion on what needs to be done.
Requires a minimal number of RNs and long-term care facilities still use this mode.
-Cons: Consist of possible fragmented care, overlooking the patient's primary needs, low job satisfaction
due to feelings of understimulation, lack of cost effectiveness because of the need for more
coordinators, and employees focusing on only their efforts rather than overall results.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Team Nursing - correct answer -Ancillary personnel collaborate in providing care to a
group of patients under the direction of a professional nurse.
-The nurse as the leader knows about the patients' conditions and the plan of care for each.
-Pros: More economical; democratic leadership style—group members have as much autonomy as
possible but responsibility and accountability are shared; contribution of special skills/expertise.
-Cons: Requires extensive team communication and regular team planning conferences; Insufficient
time for team care planning and communication leading to errors and fragmented patient care.
(See ppt and book for good picture to illustrate this method)
Modular Nursing - correct answer -Mini-team of two or three members with at least
one member who is the RN.
-Pairs professional nurses with ancillary staff to deliver care to groups of patients.
-Used frequently during the 1980s and 1990s.
