Off-peak nurse staffing: critical-care nurses speak.
The off-peak work environment is important to understand because the risk for mortality increases for patients at night and on the weekend in hospitals. Because critical-care nurses are on duty in hospitals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they are excellent sources of information regarding what happens on a unit during off-peak times. Inadequate nurse staffing on off-peak shifts was described as a major problem by the nurses we interviewed. The study reported here contributes the type of information needed to better understand the organization of nursing units and nurse staffing on outcomes.
College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73572, USA. Valerie-eschiti@ouhsc.edu
Valerie
V
Eschiti
Patti
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Hamilton
D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D009551:Night Care; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010562:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling Information Systems; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017751:Safety Management; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology