scholarly journals Nurse staffing levels, missed vital signs and mortality in hospitals: retrospective longitudinal observational study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (38) ◽  
pp. 1-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Griffiths ◽  
Jane Ball ◽  
Karen Bloor ◽  
Dankmar Böhning ◽  
Jim Briggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Causal Mechanism ◽  
Skill Mix ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Longitudinal Observational Study ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Temporary Staffing

Background Low nurse staffing levels are associated with adverse patient outcomes from hospital care, but the causal relationship is unclear. Limited capacity to observe patients has been hypothesised as a causal mechanism. Objectives This study determines whether or not adverse outcomes are more likely to occur after patients experience low nurse staffing levels, and whether or not missed vital signs observations mediate any relationship. Design Retrospective longitudinal observational study. Multilevel/hierarchical mixed-effects regression models were used to explore the association between registered nurse (RN) and health-care assistant (HCA) staffing levels and outcomes, controlling for ward and patient factors. Setting and participants A total of 138,133 admissions to 32 general adult wards of an acute hospital from 2012 to 2015. Main outcomes Death in hospital, adverse event (death, cardiac arrest or unplanned intensive care unit admission), length of stay and missed vital signs observations. Data sources Patient administration system, cardiac arrest database, eRoster, temporary staff bookings and the Vitalpac system (System C Healthcare Ltd, Maidstone, Kent; formerly The Learning Clinic Limited) for observations. Results Over the first 5 days of stay, each additional hour of RN care was associated with a 3% reduction in the hazard of death [hazard ratio (HR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 1.0]. Days on which the HCA staffing level fell below the mean were associated with an increased hazard of death (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07), but the hazard of death increased as cumulative staffing exposures varied from the mean in either direction. Higher levels of temporary staffing were associated with increased mortality. Adverse events and length of stay were reduced with higher RN staffing. Overall, 16% of observations were missed. Higher RN staffing was associated with fewer missed observations in high-acuity patients (incidence rate ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99), whereas the overall rate of missed observations was related to overall care hours (RN + HCA) but not to skill mix. The relationship between low RN staffing and mortality was mediated by missed observations, but other relationships between staffing and mortality were not. Changing average skill mix and staffing levels to the levels planned by the Trust, involving an increase of 0.32 RN hours per patient day (HPPD) and a similar decrease in HCA HPPD, would be associated with reduced mortality, an increase in staffing costs of £28 per patient and a saving of £0.52 per patient per hospital stay, after accounting for the value of reduced stays. Limitations This was an observational study in a single site. Evidence of cause is not definitive. Variation in staffing could be influenced by variation in the assessed need for staff. Our economic analysis did not consider quality or length of life. Conclusions Higher RN staffing levels are associated with lower mortality, and this study provides evidence of a causal mechanism. There may be several causal pathways and the absolute rate of missed observations cannot be used to guide staffing decisions. Increases in nursing skill mix may be cost-effective for improving patient safety. Future work More evidence is required to validate approaches to setting staffing levels. Other aspects of missed nursing care should be explored using objective data. The implications of findings about both costs and temporary staffing need further exploration. Trial registration This study is registered as ISRCTN17930973. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 6, No. 38. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Haegdorens ◽  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Koen De Meester ◽  
Koenraad G. Monsieurs
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Growing evidence indicates that improved nurse staffing in acute hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality. Current research is limited to studies using hospital level data or without proper adjustment for confounders which makes the translation to practice difficult. Method In this observational study we analysed retrospectively the control group of a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial concerning 14 medical and 14 surgical wards in seven Belgian hospitals. All patients admitted to these wards during the control period were included in this study. Pregnant patients or children below 17 years of age were excluded. In all patients, we collected age, crude ward mortality, unexpected death, cardiac arrest with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and unplanned admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A composite mortality measure was constructed including unexpected death and death up to 72 h after cardiac arrest with CPR or unplanned ICU admission. Every 4 months we obtained, from 30 consecutive patient admissions across all wards, the Charlson comorbidity index. The amount of nursing hours per patient days (NHPPD) were calculated every day for 15 days, once every 4 months. Data were aggregated to the ward level resulting in 68 estimates across wards and time. Linear mixed models were used since they are most appropriate in case of clustered and repeated measures data. Results The unexpected death rate was 1.80 per 1000 patients. Up to 0.76 per 1000 patients died after CPR and 0.62 per 1000 patients died after unplanned admission to the ICU. The mean composite mortality was 3.18 per 1000 patients. The mean NHPPD and proportion of nurse Bachelor hours were respectively 2.48 and 0.59. We found a negative association between the nursing hours per patient day and the composite mortality rate adjusted for possible confounders (B = − 2.771, p = 0.002). The proportion of nurse Bachelor hours was negatively correlated with the composite mortality rate in the same analysis (B = − 8.845, p = 0.023). Using the regression equation, we calculated theoretically optimal NHPPDs. Conclusions This study confirms the association between higher nurse staffing levels and lower patient mortality controlled for relevant confounders.

scholarly journals The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Haegdorens ◽  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Koen De Meester ◽  
Koen Monsieurs
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates that improved nurse staffing in acute hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality. Current research is limited to studies using hospital level data or without proper adjustment for confounders which makes the translation to practice difficult. METHOD In this observational study we analysed retrospectively the control group of a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial concerning 14 medical and 14 surgical wards in seven Belgian hospitals. All patients admitted to these wards during the control period were included in this study. Pregnant patients or children below 17 years of age were excluded. In all patients, we collected age, crude ward mortality, unexpected death, cardiac arrest with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and unplanned admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A composite mortality measure was constructed including unexpected death and death up to 72 hours after cardiac arrest with CPR or unplanned ICU admission. Every four months we obtained, from 30 consecutive patient admissions across all wards, the Charlson comorbidity index. The amount of nursing hours per patient days (NHPPD) were calculated every day for 15 days, once every four months. Data were aggregated to the ward level resulting in 68 estimates across wards and time. Linear mixed models were used since they are most appropriate in case of clustered and repeated measures data. RESULTS The unexpected death rate was 1.80 per 1000 patients. Up to 0.76 per 1000 patients died after CPR and 0.62 per 1000 patients died after unplanned admission to the ICU. The mean composite mortality was 3.18 per 1000 patients. The mean NHPPD and proportion of nurse Bachelor hours were respectively 2.48 and 0.59. We found a negative association between the nursing hours per patient day and the composite mortality rate adjusted for possible confounders (B= -2.771, p=0.002). The proportion of nurse Bachelor hours was negatively correlated with the composite mortality rate in the same analysis (B= -8.845, p=0.023). Using the regression equation, we calculated theoretically optimal NHPPDs. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the association between higher nurse staffing levels and lower patient mortality controlled for relevant confounders.

scholarly journals The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Haegdorens ◽  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Koen De Meester ◽  
Koen Monsieurs
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates that improved nurse staffing in acute hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality. Current research is limited to studies using hospital level data or without proper adjustment for confounders which makes the translation to practice difficult. METHOD In this observational study we analysed retrospectively the control group of a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial concerning 14 medical and 14 surgical wards in seven Belgian hospitals. All patients admitted to these wards during the control period were included in this study. Pregnant patients or children below 17 years of age were excluded. In all patients, we collected age, crude ward mortality, unexpected death, cardiac arrest with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and unplanned admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A composite mortality measure was constructed including unexpected death and death up to 72 hours after cardiac arrest with CPR or unplanned ICU admission. Every four months we obtained, from 30 consecutive patient admissions across all wards, the Charlson comorbidity index. The amount of nursing hours per patient days (NHPPD) were calculated every day for 15 days, once every four months. Data were aggregated to the ward level resulting in 68 estimates across wards and time. Linear mixed models were used since they are most appropriate in case of clustered and repeated measures data. RESULTS The unexpected death rate was 1.80 per 1000 patients. Up to 0.76 per 1000 patients died after CPR and 0.62 per 1000 patients died after unplanned admission to the ICU. The mean composite mortality was 3.18 per 1000 patients. The mean NHPPD and proportion of nurse Bachelor hours were respectively 2.48 and 0.59. We found a negative association between the nursing hours per patient day and the composite mortality rate adjusted for possible confounders (B= -2.771, p=0.002). The proportion of nurse Bachelor hours was negatively correlated with the composite mortality rate in the same analysis (B= -8.845, p=0.023). Using the regression equation, we calculated theoretically optimal NHPPDs. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the association between higher nurse staffing levels and lower patient mortality controlled for relevant confounders.

scholarly journals The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Haegdorens ◽  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Koen De Meester ◽  
Koen Monsieurs
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Growing evidence indicates that improved nurse staffing in acute hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality. Current research is limited to studies using hospital level data or without proper adjustment for confounders which makes the translation to practice difficult. METHOD In this observational study we analysed retrospectively the control group of a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial concerning 14 medical and 14 surgical wards in seven Belgian hospitals. All patients admitted to these wards during the control period were included in this study. Pregnant patients or children below 17 years of age were excluded. In all patients, we collected age, crude ward mortality, unexpected death, cardiac arrest with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and unplanned admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A composite mortality measure was constructed including unexpected death and death up to 72 hours after cardiac arrest with CPR or unplanned ICU admission. Every four months we obtained, from 30 consecutive patient admissions across all wards, the Charlson comorbidity index. The amount of nursing hours per patient days (NHPPD) were calculated every day for 15 days, once every four months. Data were aggregated to the ward level resulting in 68 estimates across wards and time. Linear mixed models were used since they are most appropriate in case of clustered and repeated measures data. RESULTS The unexpected death rate was 1.80 per 1000 patients. Up to 0.76 per 1000 patients died after CPR and 0.62 per 1000 patients died after unplanned admission to the ICU. The mean composite mortality was 3.18 per 1000 patients. The mean NHPPD and proportion of bachelor hours were respectively 2.48 and 0.59. We found a negative association between the nursing hours per patient day and the composite mortality rate adjusted for possible confounders (B= -2.771, p=0.002). The proportion of Bachelor hours was negatively correlated with the composite mortality rate in the same analysis (B= -8.845, p=0.023). Using the regression equation, we calculated theoretically optimal NHPPDs. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the association between higher nurse staffing levels and lower patient mortality controlled for relevant confounders.

scholarly journals The association between nurse staffing levels and the timeliness of vital signs monitoring: a retrospective observational study in the UK

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e032157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver C Redfern ◽  
Peter Griffiths ◽  
Antonello Maruotti ◽  
Alejandra Recio Saucedo ◽  
Gary B Smith
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Retrospective Observational Study ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Vital Signs Monitoring ◽  
Daily Rate ◽  
High Acuity ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

ObjectivesOmissions and delays in delivering nursing care are widely reported consequences of staffing shortages, with potentially serious impacts on patients. However, studies so far have relied almost exclusively on nurse self-reporting. Monitoring vital signs is a key part of nursing work and electronic recording provides an opportunity to objectively measure delays in care. This study aimed to determine the association between registered nurse (RN) and nursing assistant (NA) staffing levels and adherence to a vital signs monitoring protocol.DesignRetrospective observational study.Setting32 medical and surgical wards in an acute general hospital in England.Participants538 238 nursing shifts taken over 30 982 ward days.Primary and secondary outcome measuresVital signs observations were scheduled according to a protocol based on the National Early Warning Score (NEWS). The primary outcome was the daily rate of missed vital signs (overdue by ≥67% of the expected time to next observation). The secondary outcome was the daily rate of late vital signs observations (overdue by ≥33%). We undertook subgroup analysis by stratifying observations into low, medium and high acuity using NEWS.ResultsLate and missed observations were frequent, particularly in high acuity patients (median=44%). Higher levels of RN staffing, measured in hours per patient per day (HPPD), were associated with a lower rate of missed observations in all (IRR 0.983, 95% CI 0.979 to 0.987) and high acuity patients (0.982, 95% CI 0.972 to 0.992). However, levels of NA staffing were only associated with the daily rate (0.954, CI 0.949 to 0.958) of all missed observations.ConclusionsAdherence to vital signs monitoring protocols is sensitive to levels of nurse and NA staffing, although high acuity observations appeared unaffected by levels of NAs. We demonstrate that objectively measured omissions in care are related to nurse staffing levels, although the absolute effects are small.Study registrationThe data and analyses presented here were part of the larger Missed Care study (ISRCTN registration: 17930973).

scholarly journals Nurse Staffing and Nursing Home Deficiency of Care for Inappropriate Psychotropics Use in Residents With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 207-208
Author(s):  
Jung Min Yoon ◽  
Alison Trinkoff ◽  
Carla Storr ◽  
Elizabeth Galik
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Skill Mix ◽  
Staffing Ratios ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Nurse Aide ◽  
Nursing Staffing ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Reporting Data

Abstract Psychotropics use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in nursing homes (NHs) has been the focus of policy attention due to their adverse effects. We hypothesized that NHs with lower nursing staffing would have greater reliance on psychotropics use to control BPSD. A NH deficiency of care can be cited for inappropriate psychotropics use (F-tag 758). The association between the occurrence of F-758 tags and nurse staffing in residents with dementia was examined using the 2017-18 Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data (n=14,548 NHs). Staffing measures included nursing hours per resident day (HPRD) and registered nurse (RN) skill-mix. Generalized linear mixed models that included covariates (NH location, bed size, ownership, proportion of residents with dementia/depression/psychiatric disorders and with Medicare/Medicaid) estimated the magnitude of the associations. There were 1,872 NHs with F-758 tags indicating inappropriate psychotropics use for NH residents with dementia. NHs with greater RN and certified nurse assistant (CNA) HPRD had significantly lower odds of F-758 tags (OR=0.59 54, 95% CI=0.47 44-0.73 66; OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.77-0.99, respectively) and similar findings were found in NHs with greater RN skill-mix (OR=0.14 10, 95% CI=0.05 04-0.37 25). There were no significant associations between the occurrence of F-758 tags and licensed practice nurse and unlicensed nurse aide HPRD. This study found that RN and CNA staffing had inverse associations with inappropriate psychotropic use citations among residents with dementia. NHs with higher RN staffing ratios may be better able to implement alternatives to pharmacological approaches for BPSD. It is suggested that NHs be equipped with adequate nurse staffing levels to reduce unnecessary psychotropics use.

scholarly journals Hospital nurse staffing and staff–patient interactions: an observational study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 706-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Bridges ◽  
Peter Griffiths ◽  
Emily Oliver ◽  
Ruth M Pickering
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Negative Interaction ◽  
Skill Mix ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Patient Interactions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundExisting evidence indicates that reducing nurse staffing and/or skill mix adversely affects care quality. Nursing shortages may lead managers to dilute nursing team skill mix, substituting assistant personnel for registered nurses (RNs). However, no previous studies have described the relationship between nurse staffing and staff–patient interactions.SettingSix wards at two English National Health Service hospitals.MethodsWe observed 238 hours of care (n=270 patients). Staff–patient interactions were rated using the Quality of Interactions Schedule. RN, healthcare assistant (HCA) and patient numbers were used to calculate patient-to-staff ratios. Multilevel regression models explored the association between staffing levels, skill mix and the chance of an interaction being rated as ‘negative’ quality, rate at which patients experienced interactions and total amount of time patients spent interacting with staff per observed hour.Results10% of the 3076 observed interactions were rated as negative. The odds of a negative interaction increased significantly as the number of patients per RN increased (p=0.035, OR of 2.82 for ≥8 patients/RN compared with >6 to <8 patients/RN). A similar pattern was observed for HCA staffing but the relationship was not significant (p=0.056). When RN staffing was low, the odds of a negative interaction increased with higher HCA staffing. Rate of interactions per patient hour, but not total amount of interaction time, was related to RN and HCA staffing levels.ConclusionLow RN staffing levels are associated with changes in quality and quantity of staff–patient interactions. When RN staffing is low, increases in assistant staff levels are not associated with improved quality of staff–patient interactions. Beneficial effects from adding assistant staff are likely to be dependent on having sufficient RNs to supervise, limiting the scope for substitution.

scholarly journals Nurse staffing and patient-perceived quality of nursing care: a cross-sectional analysis of survey and administrative data in German hospitals

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e051133
Author(s):  
Vera Winter ◽  
Karina Dietermann ◽  
Udo Schneider ◽  
Jonas Schreyögg
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Care ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Skill Mix ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Hospital Units ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Quality Of Nursing

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of nurse staffing on patient-perceived quality of nursing care. We differentiate nurse staffing levels and nursing skill mix as two facets of nurse staffing and use a multidimensional instrument for patient-perceived quality of nursing care. We investigate non-linear and interaction effects.SettingThe study setting was 3458 hospital units in 1017 hospitals in Germany.ParticipantsWe contacted 212 554 patients discharged from non-paediatric, non-intensive and non-psychiatric hospital units who stayed at least two nights in the hospital between January and October 2019. Of those, 30 174 responded, yielding a response rate of 14.2%. Our sample included only those patients. After excluding extreme values for our nurse staffing variables and removing observations with missing values, our final sample comprised 28 136 patients ranging from 18 to 97 years of age (average: 61.12 years) who had been discharged from 3458 distinct hospital units in 1017 hospitals.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPatient-perceived quality of nursing care (general nursing care, guidance provided by nurses, and patient loyalty to the hospital).ResultsFor all three dimensions of patient-perceived quality of nursing care, we found that they significantly decreased as (1) nurse staffing levels decreased (with decreasing marginal effects) and (2) the proportion of assistant nurses in a hospital unit increased. The association between nurse staffing levels and quality of nursing care was more pronounced among patients who were less clinically complex, were admitted to smaller hospitals or were admitted to medical units.ConclusionsOur results indicate that, in addition to nurse staffing levels, nursing skill mix is crucial for providing the best possible quality of nursing care from the patient perspective and both should be considered when designing policies such as minimum staffing regulations to improve the quality of nursing care in hospitals.

scholarly journals Costs and consequences of using average demand to plan baseline nurse staffing levels: a computer simulation study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Saville ◽  
Thomas Monks ◽  
Peter Griffiths ◽  
Jane Elisabeth Ball
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Modelling Studies ◽  
Permanent Staff ◽  
Temporary Staffing ◽  
The Cost

BackgroundPlanning numbers of nursing staff allocated to each hospital ward (the ‘staffing establishment’) is challenging because both demand for and supply of staff vary. Having low numbers of registered nurses working on a shift is associated with worse quality of care and adverse patient outcomes, including higher risk of patient safety incidents. Most nurse staffing tools recommend setting staffing levels at the average needed but modelling studies suggest that this may not lead to optimal levels.ObjectiveUsing computer simulation to estimate the costs and understaffing/overstaffing rates delivered/caused by different approaches to setting staffing establishments.MethodsWe used patient and roster data from 81 inpatient wards in four English hospital Trusts to develop a simulation of nurse staffing. Outcome measures were understaffed/overstaffed patient shifts and the cost per patient-day. We compared staffing establishments based on average demand with higher and lower baseline levels, using an evidence-based tool to assess daily demand and to guide flexible staff redeployments and temporary staffing hires to make up any shortfalls.ResultsWhen baseline staffing was set to meet the average demand, 32% of patient shifts were understaffed by more than 15% after redeployment and hiring from a limited pool of temporary staff. Higher baseline staffing reduced understaffing rates to 21% of patient shifts. Flexible staffing reduced both overstaffing and understaffing but when used with low staffing establishments, the risk of critical understaffing was high, unless temporary staff were unlimited, which was associated with high costs.ConclusionWhile it is common practice to base staffing establishments on average demand, our results suggest that this may lead to more understaffing than setting establishments at higher levels. Flexible staffing, while an important adjunct to the baseline staffing, was most effective at avoiding understaffing when high numbers of permanent staff were employed. Low staffing establishments with flexible staffing saved money because shifts were unfilled rather than due to efficiencies. Thus, employing low numbers of permanent staff (and relying on temporary staff and redeployments) risks quality of care and patient safety.

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