Component analysis of productivity in home care RNs

The purpose of this study was to develop a productivity measurement method applicable to home health care registered nurses (RNs) by identifying and quantifying the areas of knowledge and ability that define productive nursing practice in home health care. A descriptive, correlational design using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis identified 35 knowledge and ability variables that grouped into seven dimensions: Client/Family Management, Practice Management, Knowledge/Skill Maintenance, Communication, Nursing Process, Written Documentation, and Home Health Care Knowledge. There were no significant differences in productivity variables among four major types of agencies. Among agencies considered preeminent, intellectual skills appeared to be of greater importance to productive practice than direct-care skills. The seven productivity dimensions that emerged from this study show promise in providing 1) a theoretical basis for understanding the knowledge and abilities associated with RN productivity in the home health setting, 2) a description of nurse inputs in a home health services productivity model, and 3) a reality-based measurement tool that has utility in managing RN productivity in home health care.