Study Says More RNs Equals Better Patient Outcomes

Newswise - Heart attack patients treated in hospitals staffed by more registered nurses (RNs) are less likely to die than patients treated in hospitals staffed by fewer RNs, according to a recent study published in the January 2004 issue of Medical Care.

"Over the last decade, many hospitals in the United States, in an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce costs, have reduced the number of RNs and increased the number of less educated nurse extender personnel," says Sharina Person, PhD, UAB assistant professor of preventive medicine. "This raises serious concerns. Our study shows hospitals should not reduce nurse staffing without careful examination of the impact on quality of care and patient outcomes."

Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham