State nursing shortages and patient satisfaction: more RNs--better patient experiences.
This study of 827,430 patients, 733 hospitals, and 25 states compares state performance in patient satisfaction with the supply of registered nurses. A significant, positive relationship exists between a state's supply of registered nurses and patients' evaluations of their care experiences. Hospitals in states with nursing shortages may be challenged by national comparisons of patient satisfaction and should take these results into account when devising their quality improvement strategy.
Clark
Paul Alexander
PA
Press Ganey Associates, Inc, South Bend, IN 46601, USA. pclark@pressganey.com
Leddy
Kelly
K
Drain
Maxwell
M
Kaldenberg
Dennis
D
D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011050:Policy Making; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States