Research Paper: Proper Nurse Staffing
Critical Issue Paper: Proper Staffing related to Patient Safety
Introduction
The appropriate staffing of Registered Nurses is critical in the safety of hospital patients. Nursing shortages, along with major cuts in nursing budgets, have combined to result in fewer nurses at the bedside. This creates a safety hazard for patients, as well as a critical issue in the nursing profession. Nursing and patient outcomes are both highly affected by inadequate staffing. This paper will focus on the necessity for appropriate RN-to-patient ration and the evidence based research that supports the effect this has on patient safety, patient outcomes and the nursing practice.
Why is this issue a concern for nursing practice and healthcare delivery?
Inadequate …show more content…
Garrett noted research finding that adding one additional patient to the nurse’s workload is linked to a seven percent increase in patient mortality within thirty days of admission. In addition, a seven percent increase in the odds of failure to rescue was found. Research also provides evidence that a high patient ratio is directly responsible for nurses’ job related burnout and dissatisfaction. It was found that each additional patient per nurse resulted in a twenty three percent increase of the odds of burnout and dissatisfaction. (Garrett, 2008) Patient outcomes are also affected by hours of care per patient per day (HPPD). The Needleman group examined data from hospitals paying close attention to the hours of care given. Research verified that a higher RN HPPD is associated with lower adverse outcomes and shorter length of stay. (Unruh, …show more content…
Heavy workloads lead to nurse burn out. Nurse burnout leads to poor delivery of care, which then leads to a reduced patient satisfaction. Poor outcomes from the nurses and patients contribute higher cost to the hospital as a result of low efficiency, high turnover, longer hospitalization, and expensive treatments. When the hospital loses money, finances tighten and result in cuts in nursing budgets and bed closures. These factors all lead to poor staffing, and the cycle continues. (Unruh, 2008)
This writer has experienced the vicious cycle first hand. It has been nearly impossible to tend to every patient’s specific need with an overloaded assignment. It is a constant battle to complete paper work, admissions, discharges, transfers, deal with families, and intercept medication errors while juggling up to eight patients. Lack of ancillary help and few RNs assigned to the unit makes completing tasks very
Introduction
The appropriate staffing of Registered Nurses is critical in the safety of hospital patients. Nursing shortages, along with major cuts in nursing budgets, have combined to result in fewer nurses at the bedside. This creates a safety hazard for patients, as well as a critical issue in the nursing profession. Nursing and patient outcomes are both highly affected by inadequate staffing. This paper will focus on the necessity for appropriate RN-to-patient ration and the evidence based research that supports the effect this has on patient safety, patient outcomes and the nursing practice.
Why is this issue a concern for nursing practice and healthcare delivery?
Inadequate …show more content…
Garrett noted research finding that adding one additional patient to the nurse’s workload is linked to a seven percent increase in patient mortality within thirty days of admission. In addition, a seven percent increase in the odds of failure to rescue was found. Research also provides evidence that a high patient ratio is directly responsible for nurses’ job related burnout and dissatisfaction. It was found that each additional patient per nurse resulted in a twenty three percent increase of the odds of burnout and dissatisfaction. (Garrett, 2008) Patient outcomes are also affected by hours of care per patient per day (HPPD). The Needleman group examined data from hospitals paying close attention to the hours of care given. Research verified that a higher RN HPPD is associated with lower adverse outcomes and shorter length of stay. (Unruh, …show more content…
Heavy workloads lead to nurse burn out. Nurse burnout leads to poor delivery of care, which then leads to a reduced patient satisfaction. Poor outcomes from the nurses and patients contribute higher cost to the hospital as a result of low efficiency, high turnover, longer hospitalization, and expensive treatments. When the hospital loses money, finances tighten and result in cuts in nursing budgets and bed closures. These factors all lead to poor staffing, and the cycle continues. (Unruh, 2008)
This writer has experienced the vicious cycle first hand. It has been nearly impossible to tend to every patient’s specific need with an overloaded assignment. It is a constant battle to complete paper work, admissions, discharges, transfers, deal with families, and intercept medication errors while juggling up to eight patients. Lack of ancillary help and few RNs assigned to the unit makes completing tasks very