Research Projects: Enhancing Patient Care Delivery Systems/Nurse Retention

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Purpose of Project:

The purpose of the project is to improve both nurse retention rates and resident care by implementing combined clinical and cultural model based on an interdisciplinary approach to resident care in which direct care workers have an enhanced role in resident assessment and care. The model will be applied in two care areas of particular importance to nursing home providers: (1) identifying change in resident condition, and (2) monitoring and addressing resident behavior issues. The care model will be pilot tested in four Wisconsin facilities, two in a rural area and two in an urban area with underserved populations. The project will be evaluated through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Measures of nurse retention and turnover, MDS quality indicators, nursing staff job satisfaction will be used to evaluate the model.

Project Duration: September 2003 to June 2008

Participating Personnel:

Principal Investigator: David Zimmerman

Project Director and Contact Person: Allan Stegemann

Sponsoring Agency:

Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services