Healthcare Industry Leaders Craft 10 Best Practices for Achieving Excellence in Healthcare Staffing

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evidence continues to accumulate linking effective healthcare staffing to revenues, costs, patient care outcomes, safety, and staff satisfaction. To explore what healthcare organizations can do to achieve excellence in staffing, optimize their operational performance, and strengthen their ability to withstand both the current economic conditions and the looming labor shortage, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) , The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), and Concerro, Inc. recently convened a discussion group of nurse leaders, chief executives, and high profile industry thought leaders.

“Faced with cost-control, patient safety initiatives, and CMS restrictions on reimbursements which increase the importance and complexity of staffing, healthcare organizations must re-think strategies, create new staffing models and practices based in evidence, and re-design technology solutions to cost-effectively meet today’s challenges,” said Jeanne Floyd, executive director of ANCC.

As a result of the discussion group, an “Excellence and Evidence in Staffing” whitepaper was developed to provide healthcare leaders with a framework and recommendations for making informed decisions on staffing strategies. A free copy of the whitepaper, including the 10 Best Practices, is available for download at www.ideaconnect2.com/forums/excellence.

“Bringing these progressive leaders together from across the country to help inform Excellence in Staffing solutions that are based in evidence was an important step in shaping the future of healthcare,” stated Kathy Douglas, CNO of Concerro. “We hope that our work strengthens the healthcare industry’s ability to deliver safe, high quality, and affordable patient care.”

In addition, Elements of Excellence, an online excellence in staffing self assessment has been launched. Healthcare organizations answer twenty simple multiple choice questions to immediately receive a rating of their performance against four leading indicators of excellence in staffing, alongside a comparison with average scores. Visit www.ideaconnect2.com to take the assessment.

“The honor society’s mission is to support a nurse in his or her career, and the findings from the Excellence in Staffing roundtable fully supports this,” said honor society president Carol Huston, RN, MSN, DPA, FAAN. “The Excellence in Staffing whitepaper and self assessment provide healthcare leaders with a framework for optimizing the use of their workforce that benefits the patient, employees, and the organization bringing both immediate impact and lasting benefits,” said Huston.

The work described in this whitepaper will be advanced in the future by the newly formed Excellence in Staffing Institute, a subsidiary within the not-for-profit organization, The Global Nursing Network (GNN). “We are pleased that GNN has given this important work a home where valuable research and activities can continue with the support of national and international resources,” stated Rhonda Anderson, RN, DNSc, FAAN, FACHE, executive director of the Excellence in Staffing Institute.

About American Nurses Credentialing Center, ANCC

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the tools they need on their journey to excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas, recognize healthcare organizations for nursing excellence through the Magnet Recognition Program®, and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC offers an array of informational and educational services and products to support its core credentialing programs.

About Concerro

Concerro, formerly known as BidShift, is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) company that uses Web 2.0 technology to deliver software and services that achieve excellence in staffing by enabling employees to connect and collaborate, online anywhere anytime. Based in San Diego, Calif., Concerro helps healthcare organizations realize cost savings, recruit and retain staff, and improve patient care with data-driven decision making. To learn more, visit www.concerro.com.

About the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Founded in 1922, the honor society has inducted more than 400,000 members in 86 countries. More information about the honor society can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.

About The Global Nursing Network

The Global Nursing Network (GNN) is a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of healthy societies. GNN's commitment is to providing a safe and neutral community that fosters co-creation and collaboration to accelerate creativity, innovation and adoption of new solutions that further the health and wellbeing of our world's populations. Through the GNN Foundation and the Institutes that reside within GNN, this commitment is supported. For additional information, visit www.globalnursingnetwork.org.