title: A longitudinal cost analysis of primary and team nursing.
abstract: Cost findings from a 4-year (1984-1989) externally funded, empirical study, comparing primary and team nursing on medical units in a tertiary care teaching hospital, demonstrates that primary nursing is less costly than team nursing. An average savings of 6.5% was realized for the duration of the study. Three factors are identified as being responsible for the difference on a cost per patient per day basis. Overall, cost analysis per DRG from primary nursing suggests cost differences related to high DRG volume and average length-of-stay. An administrative review of the study's implications highlights the relevancy of these findings in relationship to nurse retention and cost savings.
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tilbury
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009518:New York; D009746:Nursing, Team / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011321:Primary Nursing / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data