Nursing Ratios

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explains that nurse-to-patient ratios refers to the number of patients each nurse has to care for. Further the writer notes that minimum staffing ratios represent the minimal amount of nurses required to care for the maximum number of patients, without compromising patient or nurse safety. The writer points out that both the public and physicians rank nurse under-staffing of hospitals as one of the most serious threats to patient safety. The writer maintains that patient safety experts are concerned whether or not inappropriate ratios lead to higher mortality rates and a variety of complications and adverse effects as well as higher patient stays at hospitals. The writer concludes that determining nurse-to-patient ratios is an arduous task with no single or definite solution. Further, the writer notes that too many variables exist to develop definitive guidelines to cover every possible situation in an acute care facility.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Quality of Care / Patient Safety
Nurse Staffing / Skill Mix
Table 1. Matrix for Staffing Decision-Making
Nurse Safety / Job Dissatisfaction
Consensus / Professionalism
Patient Outcomes: Studies Supporting the Influence of Nurse-To-Patient Ratios
Patient Outcomes: More Than Just Nurse-To-Patient Ratios?
State Legislation
Federal Legislation
Professionalism and My Role
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Acute care facilities try to maintain low costs and employ quality nurses. Within this statement is a double standard. How can we have quality nurses and cut costs at the same time? This is where the skill mix comes into play. In the skill mix, there are Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and unlicensed staff. If the lesser skilled staff free RNs they can be better able to perform their nursing duties and assessments. If acute care facilities can agree on an appropriate number of each type of staff member within the facility, they might be better able to accomplish safe patient outcomes while keeping costs down."
"Determining nurse-to-patient ratios is a complex issue where one solution is not sufficient to cover all circumstances. The American Nurses Association assembled a panel of nursing and health professionals to research appropriate staffing levels."

Sample of Sources Used:

• 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). H.R. 1222 [109th]: Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2007 from http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-1222
• Aiken, L. H. (2005). Improving quality through nursing. In D. Mechanic, L. B. Rogut, & D. C. Colby (Eds.), Policy Challenges in Modern Healthcare (pp. 177-188). New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
• Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., & Sloane, D. M. (2002a). Hospital staffing, organization, and quality of care: Cross- national findings. Nursing Outlook, 50(5), 187-194. Retrieved December 11, 2006, from Elsevier Health.
• Aiken, L., Clarke, S., Sloane, D., Sochalski, J., & Silber, J. (2002b). Hospital nurse staffing and patient mortality, nurse burnout, and job dissatisfaction. Journal of the American Medical Association, 288 (16), 1987-1993.
• Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Lake, E. T., Sochalski, J., & Weber, A. L. (1999). Organization and outcomes of inpatient AIDS care. Medical Care, 37(8), 760-772.

More papers on Nursing Ratios:

• Persuasive Essay # 142610 : "Mandated Nursing Ratios: Detrimental or Reformative?"
• Article Review # 63434 : "Nursing Ratios"
• Analytical Essay # 140459 : "Nursing Policy"

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