The relationship between nursing leadership and patient outcomes: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to describe findings of a systematic review of studies that examine the relationship between nursing leadership and patient outcomes.


BACKGROUND
With recent attention directed to the creation of safer practice environments for patients, nursing leadership is called on to advance this agenda within organizations. However, surprisingly little is known about the actual association between nursing leadership and patient outcomes.


METHODS
Published English-only research articles that examined formal nursing leadership and patient outcomes were selected from computerized databases and manual searches. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were completed for the final seven quantitative research articles.


RESULTS
Evidence of significant associations between positive leadership behaviours, styles or practices and increased patient satisfaction and reduced adverse events were found. Findings relating leadership to patient mortality rates were inconclusive.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this review suggest that an emphasis on developing transformational nursing leadership is an important organizational strategy to improve patient outcomes.
Wong
Carol A
CA
Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. cwong2@uwo.ca
Cummings
Greta G
GG
D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration