The management of the nursing staff in the Spitex is a challenge that should not be underestimated.
Nurses who want to work in the outpatient area like their independence. They choose this job because they have the opportunity to act more autonomously and to be able to make decisions.
However, Spitex business relies on standards, regulations, agreements, partnerships etc. that need to be applied and complied by all staff. This requires control mechanisms that are not always pleasing to everyone involved.
Therefore, transparency is required from all sides. It needs tools that help to clearly describe the client’s mission with his personal context. For this purpose, a documentation of the actions and observations carried out with reference to the service is a must.
The evaluation of the data must be possible with regard to deviations, so that supervisors can identify deficits among their employees and discuss issues with them.
Finally, the specialist staff must be offered a framework in which criticism is received positively and participation is possible.
The balance between autonomy and compliance can be supported by open minded management and adequate tools to structure and document activities, as well as automating to the maximum administrative tasks.
Martin BECK
Senior Consultant, Medical Link Services AG (MLS) Zürich