Nurse - Patient Ratios and outcomes

bluesboyj · Feb 11, 1999

I have worked in a critical care setting recently where there were nurses with less than 6 months experience taking care of vent pt's, pt's wirh art lines, etc. And they are float nurses who are lucky to get one night of orientation and no time for education. Why? The answer is managed care. It's all about the bottom line. These people we care aren't patients, they're market shares.$$$$ in bed to be gotten out quickly so thet can get more$$$$, Elizabeth, check with the NLRB, there are federal laws regarding not being able to take a lunch break and not getting paid for it. The hospital may be out some $$$ in overtime pay.

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Blues Forever

Gigi Dues · Feb 13, 1999

So disheartening to read the numerous responses. I thought that situations like that were only happening in my city! I was ready to start looking for another job, but it looks like I should stay put!

I'm in a phase 1 PACU at a 300 bed hospital. We are down to only 4 RN's first shift. Closing of SICU beds happens frequently due to lack of critical care nurses. The ICU 'holds' stay in PACU sometimes over 24 hrs. It is an awful situation for staff, patient, & family. Trying to find coverage for ourselves is very difficult, but we try to avoid working 18 or more hours in a row.

Has anyone been in this situation & found resolution? Please let me know. You can e-mail me at [email protected] Thanks!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 4, 2001

The problem is that if we are short staffed no one has the heart to eliminate care to patients, we just work harder and faster and skip breaks. Administration gets the job done for less money, of course they keep taking away staff to see how little they can get away with.

Next time you are down a nurse and don't get a replacement just take care of the patients, but when it's time to go home don't stay late to do the charting. The insurance won't reimburse without paperwork, and your board won't take away your license for refusing to stay over your scheduled shift. They will take it though if you screw up during a shift from hell.

Give the hospital financial penalties when they try to save money by short staffing, and you take away the reason to short staff.

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Mar 4, 2001

Originally posted by JETomasini:
I am presently doing research for a paper I am writing as a student at the University of Buffalo. Any ancedotal information that anyone is willing to share concerning the affect of nursing shortages and patient outcomes would be greatly appreciated. I am specifically interested in nosocomial infections, dermal ulcers, injuries, medication errors as well as any changes in the injury rate to the staff as well. Thanks

Linda Aiken has published widely on the issue of patient outcomes and nurse staffing. You might also try Barbara Mark's work. She has a funded study nearing stages of completion specifically addressing your interests.

regards

chas

SUBQ · Mar 7, 2001

GREAT TOPIC:

Yes, nursing shortages greatly impact patient outcome.

Here is a few of the things that can and do happen as a result of nurses working short--staffed:

Medication Errors

Assessment Errors

Transcription Errors

Documentation Errors

Procedure Errors

Now, ad all of this up and you'll get the picture on how this can potentionally effect patient outcome.

The problem w/ this system is universal:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In a effort to make more $$$, the business managers of the hospitals try to cut cost any way that they can.

And guess who is hit 1st w/ the cut-backs?

Yep, nursing!

These people do not understand nor comprehend the pressure that they put on nurses and their license as well as the compromise in patient care and safety.

I just quit my job d/t an unsafe patient load. I stopped by the business office to turn in my name badge and the person that I spoke w/ basically said: "so, you're gonna leave just like that?" No 2 weeks notice or anything. I said yes. I don't have 2 weeks to compromise patient safety. I'm not gonna risk my license, nor compromise my patients safety. Therefore, I QUIT!

pickledpepperRN · Mar 10, 2001

Try looking for the Institute of Medicine site utilizing a search engine. Go the the report "To Err is Human"

or try www.nap.edu/html/to_err_is_human

or www.4.nationalacadamies.org