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Home health nursing: towards a professional practice model
Nursing Management
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Home healthcare agencies can improve staff retention and referrals by implementing self-directed work teams and fostering a supportive management culture. This approach empowers professionals, leading to reduced turnover and enhanced word-of-mouth advertising.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Organizational Psychology
- Human Resources
Background:
- A New England home healthcare agency faced challenges due to a rapidly growing caseload.
- Existing management structures were insufficient to handle the increased demand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement a new management structure to address caseload growth.
- To foster a culture of self-directed work teams and people-oriented service.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a management structure based on professional self-management and self-directed work teams.
- Management focused on fostering a facilitating organizational culture.
- Integrated principles of total quality management centered on people-oriented service.
Main Results:
- Introduced a "flex-time" system.
- Offered competitive compensation.
- Empowered professionals through responsible autonomy.
- Observed reductions in staff turnover.
- Noticed enhancements in "word of mouth" advertising.
Conclusions:
- A management structure empowering professionals within self-directed work teams can reduce turnover.
- Fostering a supportive organizational culture is key to successful implementation.
- People-oriented service and autonomy contribute to positive outcomes in home healthcare.