Download or read book Adoption of Standard Nurse to patient Ratios and Strict Nurse Staffing Plans to Reduce the Occurrence of Negative Patient Outcomes written by Casey J. Carnahan and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The rate of occurrence in negative patient outcomes resulting in the development of morbidity and/or mortality is alarming. Based on the findings of multiple documented studies, high levels of nurse-to-patient ratios compromise the safety of patient care due to increases in nurse workloads and decreases in the amount of surveillance time spent with patients. This issue creates a toxic environment for medication errors, patient falls, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and death to occur, ultimately increasing health care costs, diminishing the quality of for many patients, and heavily impacting the lives of family members. In the attempt to decrease the numbers of negative patient outcomes, this paper introduces the solution of developing optimal nurse staffing models accounting for patient acuity, unit layout, and skills and educational levels of nursing staff (Knudson, 2013). Standard nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:2 in one intensive care unit (ICU) and 1:4 in one medical surgical unit are implemented and tested during a six-month pilot study. A separate ICU and medical surgical unit are set as the control variables where solutions are not implemented. Through the evaluations of the rate of occurrence of negative patient outcomes documented through incident reports, nurse pre-and post- implementation questionnaires, and patient satisfaction surveys before and after implementation of the solution, plan effectiveness will be measured and visualized through the use of graphs and charts. The researcher will disseminate results of the study using a PowerPoint presentation and handouts to key stakeholders and compose an article and handouts for the greater nursing community. By adopting this solution to the issue the researcher aims to lower patient mortality rates and negative patient outcomes through the decrease in nursing workload and stress levels, ultimately increasing patient surveillance and the amount of time available to effectively care for all patients.
Download or read book Safety in Numbers written by Suzanne Gordon and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2012-03-15 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Mandated Nurse Staffing Ratios written by Emerald Bell and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this proposal is to examine the association between patient to nurse staffing ratios and patient outcomes, in hospitalized patients, in the acute care environment. After identifying the patient care issue related to the absence of mandatory nursing staffing ratios, fifteen evidence-based articles were reviewed to determine a solution. The use of mandatory nurse staffing ratios, based on unit specific acuity, was determined to be an evidence-based solution, and an implementation plan was created. The implementation plan integrated the use of mandatory patient to nurse staffing ratios throughout a 339 bed acute care facility over a six month trial period. An evaluation plan was formed to review results of the implementation plan, as well as to provide information to disseminate to key stakeholders, and the greater nursing community. The findings provide evidence that mandated patient to nurse staffing ratios, in comparison with no mandated patient to nurse staffing ratios, result in fewer incidences of inpatient mortality, pressure ulcers, failure to rescue, patient falls, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and blood stream infections in hospitalized patients, in the acute care setting.
Download or read book Nurse to patient Ratios and the Impact on Patient Care written by Amanda Martinez and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Nurse staffing Ratios written by Alexis Bullard and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This project addresses the PICOT question: In hospitalized patients, how do low nurse-patient ratios compared to high nurse-patient ratios affect patient outcomes during their hospital stay? Research shows high nurse-patient ratios in hospital settings are associated with decreased patient satisfaction, poor outcomes and poor working conditions for nurses. Adverse events, medication errors, patient falls and hospital-acquired infections increase when high nurse-patient ratios are present. This project describes the current problem, offers a proposed nurse staffing solution and recommends an implementation plan for evidence-based solutions nurse staffing. Utilizing the Nursing Intellectual Capital Theory supports the proposed nurse staffing solution to inform investment in human capital increases quality care and good patient outcomes. A dissemination plan and evaluation of the implementation will be included to measure change processes and determine effectiveness of the solution.
Download or read book Nurse Patient Ratio Policy written by Anita Zaragoza and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Patient safety and outcomes are correlated with nurse staffing and nurse patient ratios in the acute healthcare settings. Based on different peer reviewed studies it is noted that the higher the patient load per nurse the increased risk of negative patient outcomes during hospitalization and once they are discharged home. This proposed project consists of a problem description, solution, implementation, plan evaluation, dissemination plan and review of literature. Implementing a nurse patient ratio for the medical/surgical units will increase patient quality care, nurse satisfaction and decrease negative patient outcomes (Shekelle, 2013). A new nursepatient ratio policy is recommended for the three medical-surgical units at Chandler Regional Medical Center. Implications of the research are that not all units were interviewed about the benefit of having a nurse patient ratio policy.
Download or read book Patient Safety and Quality written by Ronda Hughes and published by Department of Health and Human Services. This book was released on 2008 with total page 592 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "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/
Download or read book Mandatory Nurse to patient Ratios written by Traci Pate and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hospitals are operating on tight budgets and one area where cuts are often made is in payroll expenses. Nurses have reported for years there are too few nurses in hospitals to provide quality patient care. Research evidence supports the assertion inadequate nurse staffing results in poor patient outcomes because of increased medication errors, falls, infections and failure to rescue. Nurses with heavy workloads are more likely to miss changes in their patients' conditions (Shever, 2011). It is also important to note this country is facing a worsening nursing shortage and retention of our current nursing professionals and attracting new students is imperative. California was the first state to implement minimum nurse staffing requirements. In a follow-up study performed two years post implementation of mandatory staffing minimums, researchers found the mandated nurse-to-patient ratios resulted in better patient outcomes as well as decreasing nurse burn out and dissatisfaction (Aiken and others, 2010). This proposal presents a plan to increase nurse staffing to adequate levels to provide quality patient care and improve patient outcomes. The proposal includes a complete implementation plan, the resources required for implementation, a method of evaluating the plan, and a plan for dissemination of the results to the stakeholders and greater community.
Download or read book Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1996-03-27 with total page 558 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Impact of Safe Staffing Ratios in Nursing written by Cristina Sarabando and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Insufficient nurse staffing ratios have led to a variety of problems and concerns within acute care hospital settings. Issues that can arise are things such as: increase in nurse turnover rates and burnout as well as an increase in patient safety concerns and dissatisfaction. Quality patient care is directly affected when units are inadequately staff and nurses are unable to provide the care patients expect and deserve. The nursing profession suffers due to unsafe staffing levels as it contributes to an increase in 'never events' occurring which are non-reimbursable and costly for hospitals. A multitude of studies have been conducted that support the magnitude of safe nursepatient ratios. Needleman and others (2011), collected data from hospital-level administration and found a positive correlation between lower levels of nurse staffing and an increase in patient mortality rate. This observational study reinforces the need to adequately staff units based on patients' individual needs. The nursing profession involves critical thinking where a variety of factors must be taken into close consideration. Safe and proper staffing of an acute hospital unit includes paying close attention to patient acuity, census, unit layout, ancillary staff available, and the experience of the nurses on staff (American Nurse Association, 2013). The projected change emphases safer staffing ratios based on patient acuity and daily census. There are multiple variables that need to be taken into consideration when properly staffing a unit. In the nursing world every day is different and each patient has their own specific requirements to their care. The American Nurses Association advocates for safe nurse staffing ratios and supports the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act. The Act validates the importance of safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and supports the substantial evidence that suggests that increasing the amount of RNs working on a unit can save a facility as much as 3 billion dollars. They have determined that there are staffing strategies that have reduced costs, decreased adverse events from occurring, and improved patient outcomes by implementing the evidenced-based practices in their facilities. There is software now available that aids in the management of scheduling based on census and acuity, productivity, and workload. This special software helps administration visualize adjustments needed in staffing, correlation between budget and staffing, and prepares upper management with applicable hours-per-patient-day objectives based on real census information.
Download or read book Nurse to patient Ratios written by Rethimol Ravindran and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 23 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book RN Staffing Ratios written by Corinne Szczepanski and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With advancements in medicine, patient acuity continues to rise causing the topic of RN (Registered Nurse) staffing ratios within the acute care setting to be of much debate. After speaking with nursing management at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC, it became apparent that this problem is no stranger to this organization as well. For that reason, this RN is choosing a change project that focuses on the relationship between RN staffing ratios and patient outcomes as well as nurse retention. Below, this RN will discuss the nature of the problem including the setting that the problem occurs, the impact of the problem, gravity of the problem as well as a proposed solution. The solution this RN is proposing includes decreasing the current RN to patient ration by one patient on days and one patient on nights. An implementation plan for brining about the proposed change will also be discussed in detail. This RN discusses below the methods of obtaining necessary approval, description of current problem, explanation of proposed solution, rationale for selecting proposed solution, evidence from Review of Literature, description of Implementation Logistics and resources required for implementation. This RN will also use nursing theory to support these staffing changes by introducing the nursing intellectual capital theory and explaining how it relates to lowering RN staffing ratios. Seeing as the proposed solution will need to evaluated to ensure the RN staffing changes have brought about the desired outcomes, this RN will discuss the evaluation plan for the staffing changes proposed. This RN will discuss the methods that will be used for evaluation and variables assessed. Finally, this RN will discuss how the results will be disseminated to not only stakeholders but to the larger healthcare community. Throughout this process, literature will be presented that supports the staffing changes proposed.
Download or read book Mandatory Nurse patient Ratios and the Effect on Patient Outcomes written by Alex J. Weigle and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is a long, ongoing debate, discussing the effects of nurse staffing on patient outcomes, the incidence of adverse patient events, and patient satisfaction with care. Nurse staffing issues also effect the nurse's perceived quality of care, the rate of burnout, and job satisfaction. Studies done throughout the world, show a significant association between nurses working with large patient loads, and various adverse events and outcomes for the patient and nurse. To combat this, California Legislators introduced mandatory nurse-patient ratios for each type of unit in the hospital setting. Additional research has been done in the United States and around the world linking positive patient outcomes, decreased incidence of adverse patient events, and increased patient satisfaction when mandatory nurse-patient ratios identical or similar to those in California hospitals are initiated. Mandatory nurse-patient ratios also have been proven to increase nurse job satisfaction and their perceived quality of care. This research study will propose a solution to this nursing issue, and provide an implementation, evaluation, and dissemination plan. Included will also be a review of supporting literature and various tools to be used to educate and collect data from key stakeholders and study participants.
Download or read book Effects of Decreasing Nurse Staffing Ratios written by Adrianna Gallego and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research has shown the effects of lower nurse to patient ratios in the healthcare community. It is safer, better patient care is given, and the mental and emotional well being of the nurse is improved. Nurses have the ability to provide whole centered patient care with lower ratios. They are able to answer call lights within a timely manner, provided efficient and effective teaching to patients and their families. High patient to nurse ratios increase the incidence of patient sentinel events, like medication errors and falls. Nurses are required to be task oriented, not being able to truly focus on any one patient at time. High nurse to patient ratios, 6 patients to 1 nurse, leave nurses with feelings of failure, being incompetent, and high nurse turnover rates. Decreasing nurse to patient ratios would enhance a better workplace environment, encourage people to come to this hospital for the safe and personal care. Evidence based research has shown the effects of lowering patient to nurse ratios. In some states like California, staffing ratios have been mandated, and the results of patient sentinel events, nurse turnover, and unsatisfied patients have decreased dramatically. The proposed plan is to decrease the staffing ratios by running a trial 3 month period with the new staffing ratios of 4 patients to one nurse. Prior to this a survey will be given out to both the nurses and patients about how they feel the care they are giving, or receiving has been, how safe they feel, and how satisfied they are. Patients and nurses that are receiving, and giving care during the 3 month trial period, will be asked to complete the same survey. Data will be collected and presented to stakeholders, and administrators. Education about the goals and purpose of lower patient to nurse ratios will also be addressed.
Download or read book Nurse Staffing and Patient Outcomes in the Inpatient Hospital Setting written by American Nurses Association and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Mandatory Nurse to Patient Ratios written by Amber Marasco and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nurse to patient ratios in relation to patient outcomes is a commonly researched issue. There is much evidence suggesting that better patient outcomes are achieved when mandatory nurse to patient ratios are implemented in inpatient settings. Implementing mandatory nurse to patient ratios on hospital inpatient units can help prevent adverse patient events and potentially save health care organizations millions of dollars each year. It has been researched and proven that 'hospitals with low nurse staffing levels tend to have higher rates of poor patient outcomes such as pneumonia, shock, cardiac arrest, and urinary tract infections' (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2004, para 1). In the following, this paper will discuss a proposed plan to implement mandatory nurse to patient ratios on all inpatient units at a local hospital. Specifically, this paper will use evidenced based research to describe the problem and suggest a practical solution to implement, to improve patient outcomes. The theory to support the proposed change and the plans for evaluation and dissemination of evidence and research will be discussed as well. In conclusion, a summary of the key points of the proposal will be discussed.
Download or read book Significane of Lower Patient to Nurse Ratios and Postive Patient Outcomes written by Sarah Ann Dorman and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nurse to patient ratios is an important aspect within the health care setting. High patient to nurse ratios can increase negative patient outcomes, low quality nursing care, and a negative work environment. Research studies have been conducted to show the affects of higher patient to nurse ratios and adverse patient outcomes. Higher patient to nurse ratios can also impact the quality of nursing care, stress within the work environment, and high nurse turn over rates. By keeping low patient to nurse ratios can help increase positive patient outcomes and improve the quality of nursing care. It can also improve the stress and workload for the staff nurses. Implementing standard patient to nurse ratios within each unit setting should be done based on the number of patients, the acuity of patients, and the number of nurses. Nursing manager and nursing leaders should collaborate together to ensure that adequate staffing and patient ratios are being implemented within the units. They should also take the antidote to ensure that the units are abiding by the patient to nurse ratios. Staff nurses, managers and leaders should collaborate together to ensure that everyone is biding by the adequate patient ratios within the unit based on the number of patients, staffing and the acuity of the patients. Abiding to adequate patient to nurse ratios can improve the quality of health care and improve the health care environment. By ensuring adequate patient to nurse ratios based upon unit requirements, can help implement high quality nursing care, positive patient outcomes, and a positive work environment.
