Cost containment'adoption and its impact on quality of patient care 'commitment as perceived by middle - level nurse managers: a pilot exploratory study

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, the containment of health care costs and the improvement of quality of care are two essential concerns in a nation's health care system. For that, the nurse manager is accountable for quality of care and for containing costs of health care. Aim: To identify the impact of cost containment adoption on the commitment to quality of patient care as perceived by Military middle. - level nurse managers. Descriptive exploratory correctional design was used in carrying out this study. The study was conducted in a Military Institute, where'the participants were attending a continuing education program. Purposive sample consisted of thirty Military middle - level nurse managers who were in supervisory position, accepted to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Study tool Modified questionnaire developed by Muehsam [1998] was adapted to measure cost containment and commitment to quality of patient care as perceived by middle - level nurse managers. indicated that a cost conscious behavior was found on the units' level than hospital as whole. On the whole, a strong level of commitment towards quality of patient care was found among nurse managers. No leaner relationship was found between cost containment and commitment to quality of patient care. This study can be replicated for other participants in the healthcare industry such as doctors who are contracted with organizations. Finally; middle - level nurse managers should participate in the selection of programs that influence nursing such as productivity programs, inventory management and documentation systems