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| Nonprofit Nursing Homes Deliver Better Care, Study Says
| According to a recent study published by the BMJ, not-for-profit nursing homes on average deliver higher quality care than do for-profit nursing homes. The authors of the study do stress that many factors may influence this relation and more work is needed to explore the impact of profit status on the quality of care delivered.
Researchers based in Canada analyzed the results of 82 studies spanning 1965 to 2003 comparing quality of care in for-profit and not-for-profit nursing homes. Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimize bias. Forty studies showed significantly better quality in not-for-profit homes, while three studies favored quality of care in for-profit homes. The remaining studies had mixed results suggesting that, although the average effect is clear, there is substantial variation across institutions.
Further analysis suggested that not-for-profit facilities delivered higher quality care than did for-profit facilities for two of the four most frequently used quality measures: more or higher quality staffing and lower pressure ulcer prevalence.
The analysis also favored not-for-profit homes in the other two measures: use of physical restraint and lower regulatory agency deficiencies. But these results were not statistically significant.
Based on these findings, the authors estimate that nursing home residents in Canada would receive roughly 42,000 more hours of nursing care per day and those in the United States would receive 500,000 more hours of nursing care per day if not-for-profit institutions provided all nursing home care.
These findings provide insight into average effects and suggest a trend towards higher quality care in not-for-profit facilities than for-profit homes, write the authors. However, more work is now required to explore the factors that influence this relationship, they conclude.
| Is Absenteeism a Problem at Your Organization?
A Clear Cut Plan to Address It
| Getting staff to show up for work and on time is a common and challenging task for many healthcare managers and administrators. So, here is a cut and dry plan that will help you address and alleviate the problems that accompany absenteeism.
Set Clear Expectations
One of the most important expectations you can define is that employees will arrive to work on time, and as scheduled. By developing a clear and concise attendance policy, facilities set concrete expectations for attendance. These policies and expectations should be thoroughly explained during the interview process, at orientation, and periodically reviewed with all staff throughout the year and as needed.
Follow Up Every Time
If your policy dictates giving an employee a written warning after four absences, it is critical that a manager or human resources sits down with the employee, explain the necessary disciplinary action, and have the employee sign to verify receipt of the warning. Remember that consistency and fairness is the key.
When You Can, Be Reasonable & Proactive
It is possible to be proactive with employees who have extenuating circumstances. Options may include changing their shift or adjusting a start time. Just remember that any adjustments to individual employee schedules should be confirmed with a written "contract," subject to review and in effect for a limited period of time. Both the department director and employee should review and sign, signifying that there are no misunderstandings.
Plain and simple, life happens: Child care, parent care, college, and other pressures cross over into the workplace at one time or another. There's no doubt that understanding, caring, and assisting staff at those times will enhance loyalty and retention. But it must be carefully examined to determine the effect of any change or decision on all, and the impact on the residents and other employees. Just remember that what you are willing to do for one, you must be willing to do for all--again, it must be consistent and fair.
"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today."
-Elbert Hubbard
| Do Rude People Easily Stress You Out?
Don't Underestimate the Power of Your Reaction
| Are you ready to jump off the deep end when someone interrupts you or cuts you in line? If so, it's high time you re-evaluated your response to rude behavior. Though bad manners are never welcomed or acceptable, if you respond with matching behavior, it will only perpetuate the cycle, causing even more unwanted stress and anxiety. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can modify your reactions, so that you can put an end to this vicious cycle. Take note of the tips below.
- Don't take it personally. If you're the victim of random, rude behavior (i.e., someone lashes out at you or gives you a dirty look at the grocery store) keep in mind that you're probably just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Remember that nothing probably makes a person feel more foolish than reacting in a kind, warm-hearted manner. However, if you take it personally and lash out in a similar way, you only validate the rude person's behavior.
- Be aware of your emotions. People often match the behavior of others. So, if you listen, have empathy, and smile they are more likely to act the same way toward you.
- Be nice. If you're friendly and regularly maintain a positive attitude, people will find it extremely difficult to behave negatively around you. It's cliché, but smiles and good attitudes are contagious.
Although you can't control others' rude behavior, you can certainly control your reaction to it. By taking note of the steps above, you will quickly discover that you can diffuse these situations without getting walked all over.
"Expressing anger is a form of public littering." -Willard Gaylin
| Differences Between You & the Boss
| You may find these differences humorous and oftentimes true!
When you take a long time, you're slow.
When your boss takes a long time, he's thorough.
When you don't do it, you're lazy.
When your boss doesn't do it, he's too busy.
When you make a mistake, you're an idiot.
When your boss makes a mistake, he's only human.
When doing something without being told, you're overstepping your authority.
When your boss does the same thing, that's initiative.
When you take a stand, you're being bullheaded.
When your boss does it, he's being firm.
When you overlooked a rule of etiquette, you're being rude.
When your boss skips a few rules, he's being original.
When you please your boss, you're apple polishing.
When your boss pleases his boss, he's being cooperative.
When you're out of the office, you're wandering around.
When your boss is out of the office, he's on business.
When you're on a day off sick, you're always sick.
When your boss is a day off sick, he must be very ill.
When you apply for leave, you must be going for an interview.
When your boss applies for leave, it's because he's overworked.
"The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office." -Robert Frost
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