Hospital nurse staffing and patient mortality, emotional exhaustion, and job dissatisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct an investigation similar to a landmark study that investigated the association between nurse-to-patient ratio and patient mortality, failure-to-rescue, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction of nurses.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of 2709 general, orthopedic, and vascular surgery patients, and 140 staff nurses (42% response rate) caring for these patients in a large Midwestern institution. The main outcome measures were mortality, failure-to-rescue, emotional exhaustion, and job dissatisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Staffing was not a significant predictor of mortality or failure-to-rescue, nor did clinical specialty predict emotional exhaustion or job dissatisfaction. Although these findings reinforce adequate staffing ratios at this institution, programs that support nurses in their daily practice and positively impact job satisfaction need to be explored. The Nursing Research Council not only has heightened awareness of how staffing ratios affect patient and nurse outcomes, but also a broader understanding of how the research process can be used to effectively shape nurse's practice and work environments.
Halm
Margo
M
United Hospital, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102, USA. Margo.A.Halm@allina.com
Peterson
Michelle
M
Kandels
Mary
M
Sabo
Julie
J
Blalock
Miriam
M
Braden
Rebecca
R
Gryczman
Anna
A
Krisko-Hagel
Kathryn
K
Larson
Dave
D
Lemay
Diane
D
Sisler
Bette
B
Strom
Linda
L
Topham
Debra
D
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data