This study will determine if there is a difference pre- and post-CS plan with regard to time, cost, and patient and employee satisfaction. The following research questions will guide the research:
Is there a difference in time of the patient admission process pre- and post-CS plan?
Is there a difference in patient length of stay (LOS) pre- and post-CS plan?
Is there a difference in cost pre- and post-CS plan?
Is there a difference in patient satisfaction pre- and post-CS plan?
Is there a difference in employee satisfaction pre- and post-CS plan?
Pre- and post-test evaluation research will be used will determine the relative outcomes of the census stabilization plan used in the hospital. Evaluation research evaluates the study intervention, the CS plan, regarding its effect on the organization (Charles & Mertler, 2002). This evaluation will provide knowledge related to effects of the CS plan to include differences in time and cost as well as patient and employee satisfaction. This information is of value to hospital administrators and researchers.
According to the Quantitative Methods in Public Administration (2004), evaluation research includes an impact study, which evaluates program goals and objectives in terms of outcomes. Types of questions include the following: What are the short-term, direct impacts on each client or stakeholder in the program? What are the long-term impacts? What are the indirect costs and benefits (p. 1)? Evaluation research includes data gathered in a natural setting. Field experiments allow for the collection of data to answer research questions. This type of research requires a control or comparison group. The three main types of field experiments are true experiments (subjects randomly assigned to treatment and control groups), nonequivalent comparison groups (subjects are not assigned randomly and so the control group is not equivalent), and before-and-after studies ...