Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Nicole McGuire

Abstract

AbstractHealthcare administrators and researchers have had the burden of determining best practice protocols that minimize falls among older adults living in nursing homes for several years. Several studies have investigated, and identified intrinsic and extrinsic factors that lead to falls among other adults and made recommendations along the lines of their findings. However, researchers are yet to establish the impact of staffing hours on nursing home resident fall rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation if any, between nursing home residents fall rate and the staffing hours they receive daily from certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). This correlational study was based on the systems theory framework. Using multiple regression analysis, data points containing the U.S. averages of nursing homes including rehabilitation services obtained from the CMS database were analyzed. The results of these analyses led to three key findings: (a) insufficient evidence to support the claim of linear correlation between nursing home residents fall rate and CNA staffing hours received per day, (b) there was a linear correlation between nursing home resident fall rate and LPN staffing hours received per day, and (c) there was a linear correlation between nursing home resident fall rate and RN staffing hours received per day. The results of this study may be used by nursing home administrators for positive social change by increasing their staffing of LPNs and RNs to provide the knowledge base required to properly guide the CNAs in providing quality care.

Download

Share

 
COinS