Nurse - to - Patient Ratio

I hope this is not too late to be useful. I work at Doctors Hospital Nelsonville (an OhioHealth affiliate. Our ratios are based on patient categories, as follows:
CCU/ICU:
2 RNs at all times. 1RN to 2-Category 2 or 3 patients.
an LPN with adequate skills may care for a category 2 or 3 patient if a second RN is unavailable.
1RN for every Category 1 patient.
Category 1 is a patient with multisystem problems, on vent, or with multiple drips and invasive lines.
Category 2 is new admissions, general patient population.
Category 3 are expectant transfers out, stable condition.
Med/Surg:
1 RN and 2 LPNs for 10 patients
(50% category 2, 25% each category 1 and 3)
2 RNs and 2 LPNs for 15 patients (same ratio of categories)
2 RNs and 3 LPNs for 20 patients (same ratio)

If the ratio changes to a higher number of category 1 patients an additional LPN is added.
Category 1 patients are those requiring total care, having multiple treatments, fresh post-ops, receiving blood products, severely confused or combative, etc.
Category 2 patients are new admissions, have IV drips, requiring treatments, assistance with ADLs, etc.
Category 3 patients are expectant discharges, self-care, no IV therapy or treatments.

Hope this helps!

Check out http://www.lawrenzconsult.com/default.htm

If you click on "New Publications", you can order their "1998 Survey of Hours - Detailed Summary Direct and Total HPPD by Patient Care Units"

In my opinion, Hours Per Patient Day (HPPD) is much more useful than straight ratios.

I am not affiliated with Lawrenz Consulting... I am involved with staffing at my hospital and find the Lawrenz information very useful. It breaks down the HPPD by type of unit/floor and gives low, midrange, and high values.

Hope this helps.