Where did this congresswoman find this nurse statistic?

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Hi there,

Does anyone know where this statistic might come from? "A recent analysis showing that one out of every four unanticipated events that leads to death or injury are related to nurse understaffing." Congresswoman Schakowsky said it last week when she introduced safe nurse staffing legislation, but unless she's referring to the recent Massachusetts study, which was only statewide, I'm not sure where it's from.

I'm committed to spreading the word about nurse understaffing and that seems like a great statistic to use if I can find the primary source.

Thanks so much!

alexandra

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Why not call her office and ask where it came from?

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Yep, I contacted them but haven't heard back yet. I thought maybe someone on allnurses might be likely to know : )

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
Take a look at this - it may have that data. I have seen the info @ 27% of hospitalized patients are "harmed" and half of them are "seriously" harmed, but I haven't seen anything that attributes it to nurse staffing.
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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

It looks like she recycled this info from a 2011 study Rep. Schakowsky Introduces Bill to Improve Patient Care & Curtail Nurse Shortage - FierceHealthcare

I think this is more piecing together info that sounds good than actual evidence

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Thanks, everyone! Her office got back to me and sent me the source. Turns out the "recent analysis" is from data compiled by TJC in... 2002. D'ohh. I will keep looking for current data to support safe staffing nurse: patient ratio laws.

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Presume you have all the studies from UPenn already, right?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Enjoying your book!

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Oh sure. Linda Aiken is amazing!

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Enjoying your book!

Thank you so much!

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National nurses united are lobbying for safe patient ratios, they may be able to provide the reference you are looking for.

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