Staffing patterns is one area of study related to quality health care outcomes. What are the most current findings?

a. A policy change should be implemented in hospitals based on the findings.
b. Low levels of RN staffing were associated with higher rates of serious complications.
c. Student nurses could assume some of the duties of RNs to alleviate the staff shortage.
d. The most important thing was to have enough personnel to give a good staff-to-patient ratio.


ANS: B
The most current findings overwhelmingly show that low levels of RN staffing are associated with higher mortality rates and complications.
Although policy changes involving RN-patient staffing ratios may be the outcome of such research, no definite ratios or recommendations have been set.
The replacement of registered nurses with student nurses is not a finding of the studies.
Although it is important to have enough personnel to provide good staff-patient ratio, the focus of the study was patient outcome and RN ratio.

Nursing

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