The Effect of a Higher Nurse-to-Patient Ratio on Care Quality Compared to a Lower Nurse-to-Patient Ratio
ANSWER
A higher nurse-to-patient ratio has been known to have a negative impact or poor outcomes in terms of patient care quality. This study investigates the effects of a higher nurse-to-patient ratio and a lower nurse-to-patient ratio on the quality of care provided to patients in an acute care setting.
The effect of a higher nurse-to-patient ratio on care quality when compared to a lower nurse-to-patient ratio.
Though understaffing is uncommon in hospitals and other acute care settings in Australia, this study sheds light on how a higher nurse-to-patient ratio affects the quality of care provided to patients. In this regard, it should be noted that it was widely assumed that excessive workloads on nurses resulted in a higher nurse-to-patient ratio (Falk & Wallin, 2016). As a result, the higher nurse-to-patient ratio has been linked to poor patient outcomes. Several studies on the subject have shown that a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4 can be considered satisfactory and has demonstrated significant outcomes in terms of patient outcomes (Junttila et al., 2016). Even though a correct and optimal nurse-to-patient ratio has not been provided, the acceptable levels have been set at 1:4. (Junttila et al., 2016).
Furthermore, the outcomes of a lower nurse-to-patient ratio were studied for comparative analysis. In this regard, cases dealing with patient outcomes were considered when the ratio was set between 1:4 and 1:8 from best to worst staffing ratios (Arkin, Lee, Mcdonald & Hernandez-Boussard, 2014). It has been observed that patients in an acute care setting under these conditions have a 31% increased mortality rate (Arkin, Lee, Mcdonald & Hernandez-Boussard, 2014). It should be noted in this context that the studies on this subject were conducted over more than ten years, considering the impact of nurse-to-patient ratios. It was discovered that nurses were also dissatisfied when their workloads were doubled and understaffed (Lee et al., 2017). Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that the nurse-to-patient ratio cannot be used to assess nurses’ workload (Lee et al., 2017).
Furthermore, a link between the mortality rate and staffing had been established, stating that the worst-staffed hospitals in Australia had a mortality rate ranging from 26% to 29%. (Macphee, Dahinten, & Havaei, 2017). As a result, it was clear that the increase in patient allocation hurt patient outcomes (Echevarria & Walker, 2015). As a result, adequate measures such as maintaining an optimal nurse-to-patient ratio could be identified to improve patient outcomes in an acute care setting.
Conclusion:
This study provides insight into more than ten years of research on nurse-to-patient outcomes. Lower nurse-to-patient ratios have improved patient outcomes in acute care settings.
QUESTION
The Effect of a Higher Nurse-to-Patient Ratio on Care Quality Compared to a Lower Nurse-to-Patient Ratio
A high nurse-to-patient ratio is standard in Australian acute care settings. This study compares the higher nurse-to-patient ratio to the lower nurse-to-patient ratio and how it affects the quality of care.
Identify the clinical issue and how it can lead to a positive patient outcome.