title: Data collection and review in the delivery of safe care.
abstract: Research shows that high patient-to-staff ratios compromise care, so quality data on staffing variables and patient outcomes are essential to ensuring that staffing is safe and cost effective. This article explains why data collection needs to be regular, routine and easily done to enable managers to draw connections between resource inputs and patient outcomes. It highlights that, while there are many tools to collect data, there is little evidence about their reliability, which is an issue that needs to be explored.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D017751:Safety Management; D006113:United Kingdom