quality of care after implementing the skill mix practice model for nursing.
Background. In response to ever-tightening government budgets and changes in
health insurance reimbursement, it may be necessary for hospitals to reassess their
practice models to remain competitive and maintain quality of care.
Method. Using a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design with questionnaires,
participants were recruited at a teaching hospital in Taiwan. Questions were
included on both patient satisfaction with nursing care and nurse satisfaction with
nursing aides. The data were collected in 2003.
Results. The cost of implementing the skill mix practice model with 22 nurses and
seven nursing aides was 2Æ7% lower than when only using 25 nurses. In addition,
there was a statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction and in nurse
satisfaction with the performance of the aides. There was no statistically significant
difference in the pre- and post-test outcome measures of both the incidence of falls
and the medication error rate.
Conclusion. To decrease costs and increase quality of care, the skill mix practice
model is worthy of consideration for clinical nursing care. This study presents an
investigation of the first hospital implementation of the skill mix practice model for
nursing in Taiwan, and the results of which can serve as a reference model for
hospital nursing practice reform.