BSI and understaffing websites

Nurses General Nursing

Published

HI my dear collegues..

I am in the PIT committee in our hospital because our BSI rates are sky high!!!

however, management does not believe or want to accept the fact that our staffing is not fair, I mean night shift nurses can have up to 9 patients!! which is not safe.

For days we will have 6,7 and can go up to 8 if we don't say anything. I am looking for websites that address understaffing and how it affects patient outcomes.

Our patients are multisystem failure, vent dependent, long term, very sick that need multiple antibiotics, dressings, etc, our DON doesn't believe that nurse-patient ratio makes a difference! I want to prove them wrong... but I am thinking about leaving anyways when I finish my BSN this fall.

thanks guys!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

"our DON doesn't believe that nurse-patient ratio makes a difference! "

What an idiot. That kind of staffing sounds dangerous.

Sorry, but I'm in a hurry, but it is definately proven that mortality and patient safety is affected by ratios. Hope someone helps you with finding it in writing.

Our DON quoted an article in one of her newsletters and has come around the last couple of years. Also, noting that besides better patient outcomes, safer staffing leads to nurse retention. Our ratios have improved, and we've gotten more help in the form of techs, and we're not there yet, but it's definately better than yours.

Good luck.

Specializes in LTC.

i wish you luck too - i would like to also see the sites if you find any - to send to our corporate offices in an attempt to get my LTC staffing better situated - i know that costs are an issue, but wouldnt it be better to pay a little for a staff member than to risk a law suit?

i wish you luck too - i would like to also see the sites if you find any - to send to our corporate offices in an attempt to get my LTC staffing better situated - i know that costs are an issue, but wouldnt it be better to pay a little for a staff member than to risk a law suit?

Nursing Homes and even hospitals are getting less afraid of law suits, as the "Tort Deform" advocates win more and more "tort deform" and win the right to be negligent, and be guilty of what can only be termed, gross malpractice.

One only has to look at states like Texas, and Florida, who won big in limiting lawsuits. I just read in the papers last week, that doctors are flocking to Texas, so much so, the the Texas Medical Board cannot keep up with license applications. And Florida is just as bad.

Have you read on this listserve from nurses from these states about the working conditions, pay, benefits, and lets not forget, Group One.

This is what "Tort Deform" has allowed. No accountabilty on the part of hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians. There is no fear, because there is no punishment.

"Tort Deform" is rearing its ugly head in Washington again this year. It was fought back a couple of years ago, but they will keep coming back, until they are convinced that the public is so tired of hearing about it, that they will vote for it to pass. Little does the public know, that it is nothing more than a license to kill. JMHO, and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Groundbreaking study shows that nurse short-staffing increases patient mortality, nursing dissatisfaction and nursing burnout

http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2002oct23_jama.html

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