Daniele Marchetti, Simone Cosmai, Pietro Xausa, Giancarlo Galbiati, Andrea Poliani, Chiara Mainardi, Stefano Mancin, Gianluca Solitro
{"title":"Nursing staffing and skill mix in nursing homes in Italy: An observational cross-sectional study.","authors":"Daniele Marchetti, Simone Cosmai, Pietro Xausa, Giancarlo Galbiati, Andrea Poliani, Chiara Mainardi, Stefano Mancin, Gianluca Solitro","doi":"10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.01.009","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction/objective: </strong>The relationship between staffing levels and skill mix in nursing homes is poorly documented in Italy. This study aimed to investigate nursing staffing levels and skill mix in Northern Italian nursing homes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a questionnaire sent to several nursing homes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three nursing homes participated. Data were collected on organizational models, daily hours of support staff, and daily hours of care per resident, categorized by professional profile. The predominant models were \"by sector or modular\" and \"Team nursing\". Daily hours of nursing care were minimal; in most nursing homes, daily hours of support staff exceed those of nurses and healthcare assistants. Total daily hours of care per resident were 2.75, below international and recommended standards.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Organizational settings can be improved by adjusting staffing, particularly by rebalancing the ratio of nursing to support staff, to improve outcomes and prevent missed care.</p>","PeriodicalId":56258,"journal":{"name":"Geriatric Nursing","volume":"62 Pt A","pages":"48-53"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Geriatric Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.01.009","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction/objective: The relationship between staffing levels and skill mix in nursing homes is poorly documented in Italy. This study aimed to investigate nursing staffing levels and skill mix in Northern Italian nursing homes.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a questionnaire sent to several nursing homes.
Results: Twenty-three nursing homes participated. Data were collected on organizational models, daily hours of support staff, and daily hours of care per resident, categorized by professional profile. The predominant models were "by sector or modular" and "Team nursing". Daily hours of nursing care were minimal; in most nursing homes, daily hours of support staff exceed those of nurses and healthcare assistants. Total daily hours of care per resident were 2.75, below international and recommended standards.
Discussion: Organizational settings can be improved by adjusting staffing, particularly by rebalancing the ratio of nursing to support staff, to improve outcomes and prevent missed care.
期刊介绍:
Geriatric Nursing is a comprehensive source for clinical information and management advice relating to the care of older adults. The journal''s peer-reviewed articles report the latest developments in the management of acute and chronic disorders and provide practical advice on care of older adults across the long term continuum. Geriatric Nursing addresses current issues related to drugs, advance directives, staff development and management, legal issues, client and caregiver education, infection control, and other topics. The journal is written specifically for nurses and nurse practitioners who work with older adults in any care setting.