It is a topic that has been discussed and debated at length. There has been news coverage and research done on the topic. So the question is...what is a safe nurse-patient ratio? Are nurses taking on too much responsibility and putting the patients at risk?
According to Huber, there mismatch between nursing staff available and the need for health care services (2010). We are facing a nursing shortage due to an “aging workforce, capacity problems in the colleges of nursing, an inability to retain nurses in clinical practice, and recruitment into the profession” (Huber, 2010). Despite the nursing shortage, there is an increase in the demand for health care services. More patients and fewer nurses equal a difficult situation.
Nurse leaders are aware that staffing significantly affects patient outcomes. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), for every ONE additional patient a nurse cares for results in the following:
- 30-Day patient mortality increases by 7%
- 7% failure-to-rescue rate increased
- Job dissatisfaction increased by 15%
- Nurse burnout increased by 23%
Legislation
In 1999, California passed the Assembly Bill 394, requiring hospitals provide a minimum staffing ratio. The ratios were gradually implemented over the course of several years. The set standards are depicted in the image shown on the right. Since California many states have followed in their footsteps and petitioned for the same laws mandating staffing ratios. In 2008, Illinois amended the Illinois Hospital Licensing Act requiring hospitals to develop staffing plans that reflects the acuity of the patient population (Huber, 2010). Minnesota is another state aiming to pass legislation regarding safe staffing. The Minnesota’s Nurses Association (MNA) is petitioning for minimum staffing standards, claiming too many patients are falling through the cracks (MNA, 2013). To read more facts about minimum staffing standards from MNA click here.
So I challenge you to form an opinion. Are nurses taking on too many patients? Are we providing our patients with the best care and best possible outcomes? Or are we falling short?
AHRQ,
(2012). State-mandated nurse staffing levels alleviate workloads, leading to lower
patient mortality and higher nurse satisfaction. AHRQ Healthcare Innovations Exchange. Retrieved from: http://innovations.ahrq.gov/content.aspx?id=3708
Huber,
D. (2010). Leadership and nursing care management (4th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier
MNA.
(2013). Safe staffing for all patients. Retrieved
from: http://www.mnnurses.org/safestaffingforallpatients
Great Post Kylie. I see this as being a huge issue that, most likely, will continue to get worse if nothing is done about it. It is a constant battle for hospitals to keep a budget, and the more patients each nurse is assigned, the less nurses the hospital needs to employ. I am grateful that where I work, the nurses have not been forced to take on more patients. I see how important it is for them to be able to spend time with their patients and do their own cares, etc. It truly makes a difference in the care the patients receive.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. Nursing staffing in los Angeles
ReplyDelete