Significance of Nurse-patient Ratio on Patient Outcome

Significance of Nurse-patient Ratio on Patient Outcome PDF Author: Immacula Lambert
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Burn out (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Staffing is a crucial issue in the nursing environment. Nurses are burden with excess workload and as a result are not able to provide effective, efficient nursing care. Various states have different legislation on nurse staffing. In California, most hospitals practice a low patientnurse ratio. Adequate nurse-patient ratio has contributed to reduced length of stay, mortality rate, morbidity rate, improved patient outcome, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction. Studies have shown that nurses who have increased workload as a result of having many patient to care for, report fatigue, burn out and dissatisfaction with their jobs. A study conducted showed nurses' work performance is enhanced when staffing practices related to job security and satisfaction, nurse autonomy, over- time, shift changes, and full-time staffing complements are appropriate improves the overall nurse outcome. XYZ hospital has a 100 bed telemetry unit which is usually fill to capacity. On the unit, nurses reported they desire the nurse-patient ratio be reduced. Management investigated the problem occurring on the unit by using the 5 WHY strategy. It was found that nurse-patient ratio may have affected patient outcome. When a problem is identified, a change is desired to procure solution. This problem is evaluated using Neuman's system theory of change. The theory focus on patient systems to environmental stressors. Neuman's theory stresses on eliminating stressors and balancing the whole system. Implementation of a new policy will require an approval process which will be coordinated by the nurse representative of the hospital. Surveys will be conducted to evaluate the change that will take place. After which, result will be disseminated to stakeholders and the nursing community.

Significance of Nurse-patient Ratio on Patient Outcome

Significance of Nurse-patient Ratio on Patient Outcome PDF Author: Immacula Lambert
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Burn out (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Staffing is a crucial issue in the nursing environment. Nurses are burden with excess workload and as a result are not able to provide effective, efficient nursing care. Various states have different legislation on nurse staffing. In California, most hospitals practice a low patientnurse ratio. Adequate nurse-patient ratio has contributed to reduced length of stay, mortality rate, morbidity rate, improved patient outcome, patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction. Studies have shown that nurses who have increased workload as a result of having many patient to care for, report fatigue, burn out and dissatisfaction with their jobs. A study conducted showed nurses' work performance is enhanced when staffing practices related to job security and satisfaction, nurse autonomy, over- time, shift changes, and full-time staffing complements are appropriate improves the overall nurse outcome. XYZ hospital has a 100 bed telemetry unit which is usually fill to capacity. On the unit, nurses reported they desire the nurse-patient ratio be reduced. Management investigated the problem occurring on the unit by using the 5 WHY strategy. It was found that nurse-patient ratio may have affected patient outcome. When a problem is identified, a change is desired to procure solution. This problem is evaluated using Neuman's system theory of change. The theory focus on patient systems to environmental stressors. Neuman's theory stresses on eliminating stressors and balancing the whole system. Implementation of a new policy will require an approval process which will be coordinated by the nurse representative of the hospital. Surveys will be conducted to evaluate the change that will take place. After which, result will be disseminated to stakeholders and the nursing community.

Patient Safety and Quality

Patient Safety and Quality PDF Author: Ronda Hughes
Publisher: Department of Health and Human Services
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 592

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Book Description
"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/

Safety in Numbers

Safety in Numbers PDF Author: Suzanne Gordon
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 0801464935
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios are one of the most controversial topics in health care today. Ratio advocates believe that minimum staffing levels are essential for quality care, better working conditions, and higher rates of RN recruitment and retention that would alleviate the current global nursing shortage. Opponents claim that ratios will unfairly burden hospital budgets, while reducing management flexibility in addressing patient needs. Safety in Numbers is the first book to examine the arguments for and against ratios. Utilizing survey data, interviews, and other original research, Suzanne Gordon, John Buchanan, and Tanya Bretherton weigh the cost, benefits, and effectiveness of ratios in California and the state of Victoria in Australia, the two places where RN staffing levels have been mandated the longest. They show how hospital cost cutting and layoffs in the 1990s created larger workloads and deteriorating conditions for both nurses and their patients-leading nursing organizations to embrace staffing level regulation. The authors provide an in-depth account of the difficult but ultimately successful campaigns waged by nurses and their allies to win mandated ratios. Safety in Numbers then reports on how nurses, hospital administrators, and health care policymakers handled ratio implementation. With at least fourteen states in the United States and several other countries now considering staffing level regulation, this balanced assessment of the impact of ratios on patient outcomes and RN job performance and satisfaction could not be timelier. The authors' history and analysis of the nurse-to-patient ratios debate will be welcomed as an invaluable guide for patient advocates, nurses, health care managers, public officials, and anyone else concerned about the quality of patient care in the United States and the world.

Impact of Nurse-to-patient Ratio's on Patient Outcome

Impact of Nurse-to-patient Ratio's on Patient Outcome PDF Author: Chelsea Cameron
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Burn out (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Nursing practice is solely focused on patient outcome and patient safety. In order for patients to receive the highest quality of care, nursing staff must be able to provide these patients with their undivided attention. There is an overwhelming amount of research/data that shows the direct correlation between nurse staffing (id est nurse-to-patient) ratios and positive patient outcomes. This study takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Presbyterian Hospital, on the unit Adult Progressive Care 1 (APC1). Based on data collected and mere observation, quality of care and patient safety suffer when nursing staff is required to care for many high acuity patients at one time. Nursing staff on APC1 are generally assigned five patients, and more often than not these patients are of high acuity. In the acute care setting, nurse-to-patient ratio's should be 1:4 (one nurse per four patients) due to the following observations: the need for thoroughly and accurately performed and documented patient assessments and rounding, many extensive medication passes (id est scheduled and as needed (PRN) medications), preparation for tests and procedures, patient education (id est plan of care, medication, procedural, and safety), and patient advocacy. With the high nurse-to-patient ratios seen on APC1, one can see that accuracy, proper follow-up and adequate time spent with patients is hindered. Not only do the patients overall outcome suffer, but the job satisfaction of the nurse suffer. APC1, on average, sees nurse turn around every 1 to 3 years. With this type of turn around, Presbyterian cannot accomplish their goal of hiring the nurse for the lifetime of his/her career. This problem needs to be presented with an effective strategy, goal, implementation process, and evaluation process, to the hospitals management team. After successful implementation of the proposed changes, it is the writers hope to disseminate these changes not only hospital wide, but statewide.

Keeping Patients Safe

Keeping Patients Safe PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309187362
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 485

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Book Description
Building on the revolutionary Institute of Medicine reports To Err is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm, Keeping Patients Safe lays out guidelines for improving patient safety by changing nurses' working conditions and demands. Licensed nurses and unlicensed nursing assistants are critical participants in our national effort to protect patients from health care errors. The nature of the activities nurses typically perform â€" monitoring patients, educating home caretakers, performing treatments, and rescuing patients who are in crisis â€" provides an indispensable resource in detecting and remedying error-producing defects in the U.S. health care system. During the past two decades, substantial changes have been made in the organization and delivery of health care â€" and consequently in the job description and work environment of nurses. As patients are increasingly cared for as outpatients, nurses in hospitals and nursing homes deal with greater severity of illness. Problems in management practices, employee deployment, work and workspace design, and the basic safety culture of health care organizations place patients at further risk. This newest edition in the groundbreaking Institute of Medicine Quality Chasm series discusses the key aspects of the work environment for nurses and reviews the potential improvements in working conditions that are likely to have an impact on patient safety.

Nurse-to-patient Ratios

Nurse-to-patient Ratios PDF Author: Rethimol Ravindran
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evidence-based nursing
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description
Mandatory nurse patient ratios are an issue in most of the hospitals due to financial problems and shortage of nurses. Nurse's work load has been increased due to patient's high acuity and decreased length of stay. Research evidences suggested that regulated nurse staffing influences quality of care, patient outcomes and job satisfactions (AACN, 2003). The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes, as well as nurses' job satisfaction at St. Francis hospital in Illinois. Solutions for this problem are implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratio, provide in-services for the nurses to handle patients with high acuity, provide continuity of care and plan the staffing according to the patients' acuity. The ratio should be one to five on medical-surgical unit to secure patient safety and quality of service. In ICU, if the nurse oversees one or two patients, there is significant improvement in patient's outcome and reduction in mortality rat.

Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309175704
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 558

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Book Description
Hospitals and nursing homes are responding to changes in the health care system by modifying staffing levels and the mix of nursing personnel. But do these changes endanger the quality of patient care? Do nursing staff suffer increased rates of injury, illness, or stress because of changing workplace demands? These questions are addressed in Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, a thorough and authoritative look at today's health care system that also takes a long-term view of staffing needs for nursing as the nation moves into the next century. The committee draws fundamental conclusions about the evolving role of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes and presents recommendations about staffing decisions, nursing training, measurement of quality, reimbursement, and other areas. The volume also discusses work-related injuries, violence toward and abuse of nursing staffs, and stress among nursing personnelâ€"and examines whether these problems are related to staffing levels. Included is a readable overview of the underlying trends in health care that have given rise to urgent questions about nurse staffing: population changes, budget pressures, and the introduction of new technologies. Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on our health care system.

Effect of Nurse Patient Ratios on Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes

Effect of Nurse Patient Ratios on Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes PDF Author: Cecile A. Emanuel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Burn out (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Health care in the United States as well as other international health care facilities have undergone or are undergoing major reform in the delivery and practice of patient care. Health care facilities are being closely scrutinized and reimbursements are now tied to the quality of services provided Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2013, April 10). Value based purchasing or value placed on quality of care provided has now become modus operandi for hospitals being compensated. Hospitals and health care providers have delivered patient care reflective upon the ethics and principles that have guided practice over the years. Concerned with the financial impact the quality of care delivered may have on future performance, health care providers are seeking avenues that will impact the best quality of care and perception of health care delivered to patients. One of the largest impacts on patient satisfaction lies with the interaction and care delivered by nurses. The high nurse patient/ ratio invariably affects the time the nurse has to spend in this care delivery which can have a negative impact on patients' safety and their perception of care. This research focuses on the impact the nurse/ patient ratio has on patient satisfaction and outcomes, the nurse satisfaction in the work environment and the effect this all has on the patient survey scores. Patient survey scores, also known as hospital consumer assessment of hehealth careroviders (HCAHPS) are now being used as one of the tools tied to reimbursements of health care facilities by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and other organizations responsible for financial compensations in other countries. An analysis of available research on the current nurse/patient staffing ratio being used in most hospitals identifies three areas that should be of concern to hospital administrators and senior leaders: poor patient outcomes, lower patient and nurse satisfaction and lower scores on national patient surveys.

Nurse-to-patient Ratios and the Impact on Patient Care

Nurse-to-patient Ratios and the Impact on Patient Care PDF Author: Amanda Martinez
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Employee retention
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Positive patient outcomes are directly related to quality of care received and there is a vast amount of research that determines the relationship between nurse staffing ratios and patient outcomes. The problem observed in this study is a facility in which there is a high acuity and high nurse-to-patient ratio assignments. The quality of care decreases due to the nurse having so many patients, typically six, and so much to do and assess for each one. Due to the negative patient outcomes and stress of nurses not being able to complete every task, especially not on time. With at least four extensive medication passes per patient and ordered tasks for each patient throughout the day, one can observe how the nurses ability to turn six patients every two hours on the hour, providing them with prompt PRN medications for pain, and performing tasks as proper as they should be performed is hindered. The nurse-to-patient ratio in the acute care setting should be 1:4 (one nurse per four patients), no exceptions. The problem associated with this plan is that the facility does not want to spend the money on hiring and having more nurses per shift. The facility provides staffing according to Hours Per Patient Day or HPPD. The problem with this system is that the HPPD has a set number and only the number of patients determines the staffing, not the acuity level of the patients. The problem needs to be presented to administration and management along the company chain with an exceptional and effective strategy, goal, implementation process, and evaluation process. After one year of implementation, data collected and obtained will be compared with data from one-year prior to determine the difference in results. The results will compare occurrence of wounds, medication errors, hospital-associated infections, falls and injuries, all associated costs with each as well as patient satisfaction surveys and nurse job satisfaction surveys. The results will be disseminated in an effective and appropriate manner.

Nurse to Patient Ratios

Nurse to Patient Ratios PDF Author: Kara Howard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Burn out (Psychology)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
There is a serious nursing shortage facing our nation, with this nursing shortage brings an ever increasing strain on the nursing profession. The burdens the profession is contending with include; higher acuity patients, increase in nursing tasks and responsibilities, the nursing shortage, nurse burnout, and high nurse to patient ratios. This research project is a quantitative and qualitative review of collected research studies performed throughout the world that address the nurse to patient ratio dilemma and how it is affecting nurses and patients alike. The study presents articles that deliver evidence based research linking high nurse to patient ratios to nurse burnout and increased adverse patient events. The evidence presented comes from 15 collected research articles, 8 of which are peer reviewed. The project presents a systematic review of the 15 articles in which inquiry is made in the following manner; How is the quality of patient care affected by low staffing levels? Is there statistical evidence supporting increased adverse patient events with low nurse staffing levels? How are nurses managing and how is their practice affected by high patient ratios? In a study of Finnish and Dutch nurses, the Journal of Clinical nursing reported, " Significant associations were found between adverse patient outcomes and nurse staffing levels, and significant associations, reported by nurses of both countries, were in regards to time constraints and ability to get tasks done" (Hinno, S., Partanen, P., and Vehvilainen- Julkunen, K.,2012). The evaluation of the collected evidence leads to no other conclusion than to have nurse to patient ratios regulated across the nation. Currently California is the only state in country that has set into law these regulations. many states have proposed such mandates but California is the only state practicing the regulations within the constraints of the law. The National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act and the Safe Nurse Staffing for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act are the two mandated bills that were created to improve the quality of patient care, and the ability of the nurse to practice nursing safely with the exclusive interest of patients in mind. A study by Michelle Tellez, for Nursing Economics, finds, "California's overall job satisfaction levels have increased significantly over the years, suggesting that the nurse to patient ratio laws were associated with greater nurse satisfaction" (pages73). The goal of this research proposal is in regards to the adult Acute Care population, how do low nurse to patient ratios, as compared to uncontrolled or high nurse to patient ratios, affect patient and nurse safety within an average hospital acute care admission? Addressing the nurse to patient ratio levels will decrease patient events and improve nurse job satisfaction. These reactions will only create a stronger foothold for nursing to create a regrowth and interest in the profession. Nursing needs this change to be seen as the complete necessity that it is to healthcare industry and to gain respect for the practices and achievements of the profession.