Safe Nursing Ratio Equals Better Patient Outcomes
The chosen topic is nursing ratios leading to better patient outcomes. The nurse-patient ratio is the number of patients a nurse is required to serve at a particular time. The nurse-patient ratios differ in different departments and units in a healthcare institution. Safe nursing ratios mean that the nurse-patient ratio used at the time is in line with the recommended guidelines, allowing the nurse to serve the patients efficiently, to achieve the desired patient outcomes. The recommended nurse-patient ratios in different units are as follows: Medical/Surgical: 1:4, Emergency Room: 1:3, Intensive Care: 1:1, Psychiatric: 1:4, Rehabilitation: 1:4, Labor and Delivery: 1:2, and Pediatrics: 1:3 (National Nurses United.org, n.d.).
This topic was chosen due to my interest in the role of nursing in healthcare services. Nurses play a significant role in healthcare provision and, more so, impacting health outcomes. They have developed new roles and assumed more significant responsibilities since they spend more time with patients and are the care providers with the closest contact (Coster, Watkins & Norman, 2018). One of the goals of healthcare provision across many institutions is achieving desirable health outcomes. Nursing interventions lead to better patient outcomes, which are only realized when adequate/safe nurse-patient ratios exist.
Safe nursing ratios are a primary concern of most nurse leaders across health institutions globally.
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According to Sharma and Rani (2020), nurse-patient ratios impact the nurses and the patients, considerably contributing to patient outcomes. Safe nursing ratios determine the level of patient safety, and quality of care nurses give patients in a specific unit or department, thus a significant determinant of patient outcomes. Patient safety and good quality of care enhanced better patient outcomes. Safe nursing ratios also improve nurses’ satisfaction and working conditions, thus motivating them in their work. Good working conditions and motivation lead to better service provision, thus better patient outcomes. Therefore, safe nursing ratios contribute to better patient outcomes and are important in healthcare.
References
Coster, S., Watkins, M., & Norman, I. J. (2018). What is the impact of professional nursing on patients’ outcomes globally? An overview of research evidence. International Journal Of Nursing Studies, 78, 76-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.10.009
National Nurses United (n.d.). Safe RN-Patient Staffing Ratios. Retrieved from https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/ratios
Sharma, S. K., & Rani, R. (2020). Nurse-to-patient ratio and nurse staffing norms for hospitals in India: A critical analysis of national benchmarks. Journal of Family Medicine And Primary Care, 9(6), 2631–2637. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_248_20
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Choose a healthcare topic that interests you. It can be any topic of your choice but must be related to healthcare or the healthcare professions. During this course, you will be researching this topic and writing a formal paper about it. For this week’s discussion we will do step 1: Pick and state your topic. Then explain why you have chosen it and how it relates to healthcare. Your discussion board posting should reflect the correct tone for academic threads
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