Nurse-Patient Ratios and Patient Mortality

Samah AbduLateif Buzieh Ishtieh (MNS)

Nurse-Patient Ratios and Patient Mortality

Samah AbduLateif Buzieh Ishtieh, Mahameed A, Abu Shihab N, Zahalka S, Shamlawe R, & Abu Salah D. An- Najah National University\Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences\ Nursing and Midwifery Department Palestine Territory. [email protected]

  Samah Abd Lateif Mousa Buzieh Ishtieh                                            

Abstract

Background:

In the past several years, there had been a growing need for more registered nurses in hospitals due to the rising acuity of patients and shorter lengths of stay. The safety and quality of patient care were directly related to the size and experience of the nursing workforce. Inpatient working conditions had deteriorated in some facilities because hospitals had not kept up with the rising demand for nurses.

Aim

The aim of the study was to discuss the impact of Nurse-Patient Ratios as a Patient Safety Strategy in hospitals and other health care organizations on patient care quality, as well as safety-focused outcomes. To determine the association between the nurse to patient ratio and patient mortality at Nablus Hospital and maintaining the appropriate number for the delivery of quality patient care.

Methodology: A quantitative design utilizing a survey method (self-administered questionnaire). A sample of (120) nurses who work in a governmental and nongovernmental hospital that are broadly distributed in Nablus in West Bank.

Results and conclusion: The result show that about half of the nurses said the death occurred in the morning. About half of the nurses (49%) said that the event of death they talked about was between Augusts and nowadays, almost similar percentage (48%) said they witnessed less than 5 deaths last year period.

In conclusion, Minimum nurse-patient ratios are a necessity for nurses to provide the standard of care that’s expected. Improving staffing ratios have been associated with a higher quality of care for hospitalized patients. Moreover, the proportion of nurses with bachelor’s education is directly associated with inpatient mortality. Policymakers must implement a legislatively mandated minimum patient-nurse ratio on a shift-by-shift basis to regulate nurse staffing.

Keywords:   Nurse-Patient Ratio, Quantitative, Mortality Rate, Nablus. 

 

 

Conference Title

Theme: Exchange questions, answers, and best practices in the field of Nursing

Conference Country

Palestine

Conference Date

Dec. 14, 2020 - Dec. 15, 2020

Conference Sponsor

Magnus Group

Additional Info

Conference Website