Nurse understaffing can cause compromises to patient care and safety: a one-patient increase in a nurse’s workload increases the likelihood of an inpatient death within 30 days of admission by 7 percent, according to the report.
Mortality risk decreases by 9 percent for intensive care unit patients and 16 percent for surgery patients with the increase of one full-time registered nurse per patient day.
Additionally, nurse staffing shortages are a factor in 1 of every 4 unexpected hospital deaths or injuries caused by errors, and a 2021 study showed that each additional sepsis patient per nurse was associated with 19 percent higher odds of in-hospital mortality.
A recent study of New York hospital data estimated that 4,370 Medicare patient deaths could have been prevented over a two-year period if the state limited nurse-to-patient ratios to 1-to-4.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.