Application of the Prody Model for Continuous Quality Improvement to Enhance Work-Life-Balance in Nurses of a Clinical Microsystem Caring for Veterans

Abstract

The primary purpose of this mixed method, qualitative and quantitative, study was to demonstrate improvements in nurse workplace satisfaction through the implementation of the Compressed Work Schedule (CWS) program on the Medical Surgical Telemetry (MST) unit clinical microsystem at the VASNHCS using methods outlined in the Prody Model for Continuous Quality Improvement (PMCQI). The qualitative section utilized focus groups from a cohort of nurses working in the MST unit clinical microsystem. The quantitative section utilized a comparative retrospective research design of data from the same clinical microsystem. The implementation of the CWS using the PMCQI model improved work life balance of the nurses. The change to the CWS was a protective factor (p = 0.007) against patient falls in the MST unit clinical microsystem. Since the implementation of the CWS patients have a 39% lower odds of experiencing a fall (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = [0.46 - 0.82]).