As you can see in the linked article, the number of patient a nurse cares for at a given time is an important factor in patient safety, quality and overall patient outcomes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that nursing levels, in particular the number of registered nurses, are critical indicators in preventing various complications, decreasing length of stay and decreasing mortality. However, there is no good answer as to what is the right number of patients for each nurse. So much depends on the acuity, or overall illness/intensity of care, of a given patient. Thus, simply applying set ratios, such as 1 nurse for every 5 patients is inadequate to fully address the myraid of issues.
In PA, the PA State Nurses Association has introduced safe staffing legislation that calls for each organization to establish staffing patterns that are appropriate to the particular facility -- and staff nurses must be involved in the decision making. Rather than looking to mandated ratios, the PSNA bill calls for acuity, staffing experience, skill mix and more to be considered.
As the article at the attached link describes, sometime set ratios are also a limiter -- for example the ratio of one nurse to every four patients in Emergency Rooms. While a good rule to follow, there are certainly times when a nurse could accomodate an additional patient, thus decreasing ER waiting. However, in order for a more flexible system to work, all parties must be reasonable and have a voice!
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/NRS-245408/Does-Mandating-NursePatient-Ratios-Improve-Care
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Interesting perspective, I never really thought about the ratios required for proper care. As a camp counselor and director, I know how important ratios are in order to be accredited. However, when dealing with someones health, there are so many different kinds of health issues that could require more attention than others, how can one properly judge this? I fully agree the only solution is by all parties coming together to figure out what is best for the patients and what is best for the nurses to do their jobs potentially. Every nurse is different (personality at least) and can handle different things better than others, there are just so many factors that apply here.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeff. It does depend on each individual. Everyone is different and each person has different abilities to handle numerous patients. Some nurses may be fine with extra patients while others may struggle with the work load. Additionally, the more patients nurses have to worry about the more likely it is a mistake will occur.
ReplyDeleteSince I am an elementary education major, this got me thinking about teacher-student ratios in the classroom. In my profession, it is definitely better to have less students for each teacher.
This is a tricky subject because it has both advantages and disadvantages. Overall, when dealing in the health field, you want to make sure you are making the best decision.
From a hospital's stand point with regards to finances, this would either cost more or cost less.The hospitals would have to higher more nurses to accommodate the patient to nurse ratio costing them more morning in the sense of paying salaries. Now if they were to higher more nurses, which would mean less responsibility for the nurses, would their salaries be less? With less money being offered to nurses, would you be able to fill the spots needed to meet the patient to nurse ratio? The other side is would if cost less for the hospital to higher more nurses to meet the patient to nurse ratio? The theory is if the nurses have less patients to watch over, there would be a less chance of human error to occur. In return, bringing down the cost of malpractice insurances, care costs, and insurance costs for the patient. But of course it is only a theory, there is not enough data or evidence to prove this system is more effective and efficient when it comes to patient care and costs over all.
ReplyDeleteI think that the nurse to patient ratio should not be a set figure. Every situation is different. Although there are such cases where a nurse is responsible for too many patients in which case it becomes dangerous. However, if a nurse is only monitoring a few patients that do not require much attention, he or she should be able to determine how many more patients they can reasonably take on. It should really be evaluated on a case by case basis.
ReplyDelete