MedicineBusiness

[Hospital nurse staffing and quality of care].

W. Mark, Stanton Ma

2005.4.1Professioni infermieristiche

tlooto Summary

Although hospitals with low nurse staffing levels tend to have higher rates of poor patient outcomes, increasing staffing levels is not easy and major factors contributing to lower staffing levels include the needs of today's higher acuity patients for more care and a nationwide gap between the number of available positions and thenumber of registered nurses qualified and willing to fill them.

Abstract

Although hospitals with low nurse staffing levels tend to have higher rates of poor patient outcomes, increasing staffing levels is not easy. Major factors contributing to lower staffing levels include the needs of today's higher acuity patients for more care and a nationwide gap between the number of available positions and the number of registered nurses (RNs) qualified and willing to fill them. This is evident from an average vacancy rate of 13 percent.

Citation format

MARK, W.; MA, Stanton. [Hospital nurse staffing and quality of care]. Professioni infermieristiche, 2005, 58 2: 67–74.