The study examined data on nearly 1,900 patients at four hospitals from Jan. through July 2008.
According to the findings, higher RN overtime staffing increased readmissions as well as ED visits. Higher non-overtime RN staffing was found to decrease ED visits indirectly, due to improved discharge teaching quality and discharge readiness.
The study’s authors concluded “postdischarge utilization costs could potentially be reduced by investment in nursing care hours to better prepare patients before hospital discharge.”
Read the abstract for the study, “Quality and Cost Analysis of Nurse Staffing, Discharge Preparation, and Postdischarge Utilization.“
Related articles on nurse staffing levels:
10 Recent Nursing Strikes, Lawsuits and Unionizations at U.S. Hospitals
Study: Higher Nurse Staffing Levels Can Reduce Infection Rates
EMMC Nurses Call Hospital Report on Staffing Levels Inaccurate Amid Contract Negotiations
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