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  • Title: Nurse staffing effects on patient outcomes: safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals.
    Author: Blegen MA, Goode CJ, Spetz J, Vaughn T, Park SH.
    Journal: Med Care; 2011 Apr; 49(4):406-14. PubMed ID: 21407034.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Nurse staffing has been linked to hospital patient outcomes; however, previous results were inconsistent because of variations in measures of staffing and were only rarely specific to types of patient care units. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between nurse staffing in general and intensive care units and patient outcomes and determine whether safety net status affects this relationship. RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional design used data from hospitals belonging to the University HealthSystem Consortium. SUBJECTS: Data were available for approximately 1.1 million adult patient discharges and staffing for 872 patient care units from 54 hospitals. MEASURES: Total hours of nursing care [Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses, and assistants] determined per inpatient day (TotHPD) and RN skill mix were the measures of staffing; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality risk-adjusted safety and quality indicators were the outcome measures. RESULTS: TotHPD in general units was associated with lower rates of congestive heart failure mortality (P<0.05), failure to rescue (P<0.10), infections (P<0.01), and prolonged length of stay (P<0.01). RN skill mix in general units was associated with reduced failure to rescue (P<0.01) and infections (P<0.05). TotHPD in intensive care units was associated with fewer infections (P<0.05) and decubitus ulcers (P<0.10). RN skill mix was associated with fewer cases of sepsis (P<0.01) and failure to rescue (P<0.05). Safety-net status was associated with higher rates of congestive heart failure mortality, decubitus ulcers, and failure to rescue. CONCLUSIONS: Higher nurse staffing protected patients from poor outcomes; however, hospital safety-net status introduced complexities in this relationship.
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