An organization is developing a strategy to address recent staffing shortages. Which of the following interventions BEST secures patient safety and reduces cost?

A. Waiting to empty a colostomy bag until it is completely full can lead to complications such as leakage, skin irritation, or infection. This practice does not effectively save resources and could potentially increase overall costs due to additional care needs and complications.
B. Encouraging clients to receive an annual flu immunization is an appropriate and effective method to reduce costs. Vaccinations help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, which can reduce the incidence of illness and the associated costs of treatment and hospitalizations.
C. Re-using personal protective equipment (PPE) is not safe or recommended. PPE is designed for single- use to prevent the spread of infections and ensure the safety of both healthcare workers and patients. Re-using PPE, even if it is not visibly soiled, compromises infection control standards and can lead to increased costs and health risks if infections occur. This approach is neither cost-effective nor safe.
D. Head-to-toe assessments are critical for patient evaluation and require the expertise and judgment of a licensed nurse. Delegating this responsibility to assistive personnel (AP) is inappropriate and could jeopardize patient safety. While delegating tasks to APs can help manage workload, it is important to assign tasks within the scope of their training and responsibilities.

A. Recruiting volunteers might seem like a cost-effective solution, it can be problematic in terms of patient safety and quality of care. Volunteers generally lack the clinical training required to perform medical tasks safely and competently. Their involvement in direct patient care could pose risks to patient safety and may not effectively address staffing shortages in a meaningful way.
B. Developing a centralized staffing pool of float nurses is a strong intervention for addressing staffing shortages while securing patient safety and managing costs. Float nurses are experienced and can be deployed to various units as needed. This strategy ensures that staffing needs are met in a flexible and efficient manner, without compromising patient care. It also helps to balance the workload and prevents burnout among regular staff.
C. Assigning nurses from less busy units to understaffed ones can be effective, but it must be done with consideration for patient acuity. Nurses need to be assigned based on their skills and the needs of the unit to ensure that patient safety is maintained. If nurses from less busy units are assigned to areas with higher acuity patients without proper training or experience, it could compromise patient care and safety.
D. Implementing a mandatory overtime policy can address short-term staffing shortages but often leads to staff dissatisfaction, burnout, and decreased quality of care. Compelling nurses to work extra hours can negatively impact their well-being and job satisfaction, potentially leading to higher turnover rates and increased costs associated with recruiting and training new staff.