Nurse staffing ratios vary for each state, and certain states like California and Massachusetts have laws that limit the number of patients nurses can care for. But even if you live in a state without these laws, you’re still responsible for upholding safe staffing levels.
If you want to improve your facility’s nurse staffing ratios, you must act as soon as possible. Learning about the impact staffing ratios have on patient care and safety will help you to form an effective plan.
Keep reading this guide to learn how nurse staffing ratios impact patient care and what you can do about it.
How Nurse Staffing Ratios Affect Patient Care
First, nurse staffing ratios significantly impact patient safety. Increasing the number of patients doesn’t allow nurses to be at the bedside to tend to patient needs.
The environment in your facility must help nurses safely and effectively perform all patient care tasks.
Having less time for patients means they don’t receive the necessary care. This can be anything from health education to patient hygiene. For example, an unsteady patient may try to get out of bed by themselves and fall.
More Medication Errors
A nursing shortage in your facility increases medication errors overall. Seriously or chronically ill patients have a lot of care needs, including many medications.
If nurses are exhausted and have to take on too many patients due to staffing ratios, errors will occur. In these conditions, nurses can’t concentrate on all their responsibilities.
Common medication errors include:
- Giving medication at the wrong time
- Giving an incorrect dosage
- Giving medication to the wrong patient
Healthcare facilities can take specific steps to reduce errors, like using barcode systems to scan medications before dispensing them. However, having updated technology can only do so much.
Having enough RNs on each shift is one of the best ways to reduce these errors.
Higher Mortality Rates
Nurse-to-patient ratios have a direct impact on mortality rates at your facility.
Research shows that higher ratios of registered nurses on each shift lower mortality rates by 8.7%. On the other hand, inadequate staffing increases mortality rates by 10%. In addition, low staffing with unlicensed employees also causes higher mortality rates.
The overall results show there is no substitution for having enough RNs on each shift.
Nurse Burnout
Adequate staffing levels are vital to reducing nurse burnout and keeping a healthy work-life balance. Working longer shifts and overtime during the week leads to long-term burnout.
If nurses at a facility can’t get the time off they need, they may opt to leave and find another nursing job. This burnout can then lead to nurses finding new careers altogether.
How Can You Improve Nurse Staffing Ratios?
Improving nurse staffing ratios takes time. You’ll need to create a formal staffing plan to reduce turnover by making changes like:
- Eliminating mandatory overtime
- Delegating paperwork
- New technology
- Competitive wages
Outsourcing nurse staffing is one of the best ways to improve nurse staffing quickly. Doing this reduces costs, saves time, and gives you access to qualified candidates.
You’ll also find that outsourcing nurse staffing is ideal for filling short-term needs, like holiday and vacation coverage.
Get Professional Help for Your Staffing Shortages
Appropriate nurse staffing ratios are key to the long-term success of your healthcare organization.
Find staffing solutions today by working with a reliable medical staffing company like Staff Genius. We provide long-term solutions to your staffing needs, not just quick fixes. We have qualified staff for hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, and more.
Our services include short and long-term placement, private duty care, and travel nursing.
Make sure to contact us today to set up an account to get the best staffing for your facility!
