title: Nursing unit characteristics and patient outcomes.
abstract: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, nursing unit organizational characteristics and how they influenced patient outcomes in the form of nurse-sensitive adverse events and failure to rescue were examined. Results showed significant associations between characteristics and adverse events at the unit level. Autonomy/collaboration was associated with pressure ulcer and failure to rescue, practice control with urinary tract infection, and continuity/specialization with death. Unit-level study provided a better understanding of the effect of unit work environment upon nursing practice and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Professional Practice Excellence, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne Mulvey
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D009731:Nursing Audit / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D017751:Safety Management; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D016896:Treatment Outcome