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PICOT Study: Final
Name
Institution
course
Instructor
Date
, 2
PICOT Study: Final
Although hospitals have been struggling to implement appropriate measures to improve
the quality of care provided to patients over the years, this objective is far from being fully
accomplished. Various factors hinder the achievement of the projected health outcomes. One of
these factors is the inadequate nurse-to-patient ratio. Hospitals have been progressively
experiencing an increase in the number of patients seeking services. However, the number of
nurses delivering care have stagnated or decreased in many hospitals. Hospitals are, thus,
experiencing a decline in nurse-to-patient ratio. Information from different literature sources
indicates that adequate staffing can improve nurses' work balance and, subsequently, patient
care. The paper is based on a critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative literature sources on
nurse staffing and patient care outcomes.
Nursing Practice Problem and PICOT Question
Inadequate nurse staffing is a common problem experienced in many healthcare facilities.
Although a low nurse-to-patient ration has been categorized as a practical solution to many
nursing practice challenges, very few hospitals have attained the projected ratio of 1:2. A
deficiency in nurse-to-patient ratio leads to creating an environment that increases the risk of
Hospital Acquired Injuries (HAI) such as falls, medication errors, missed care, and pressure
ulcers (Blegen, Goode, Spetz, Vaughn, & Park, 2011). Morbidity and mortality rates are also
significantly higher in settings typified by a high nurse-to-patient ratio. This paper employs the
PICOT approach to assess the effects of low nurse-to-patient ratio on patient care outcomes and
the satisfaction of nurses and patients with care.
PICOT Study: Final
Name
Institution
course
Instructor
Date
, 2
PICOT Study: Final
Although hospitals have been struggling to implement appropriate measures to improve
the quality of care provided to patients over the years, this objective is far from being fully
accomplished. Various factors hinder the achievement of the projected health outcomes. One of
these factors is the inadequate nurse-to-patient ratio. Hospitals have been progressively
experiencing an increase in the number of patients seeking services. However, the number of
nurses delivering care have stagnated or decreased in many hospitals. Hospitals are, thus,
experiencing a decline in nurse-to-patient ratio. Information from different literature sources
indicates that adequate staffing can improve nurses' work balance and, subsequently, patient
care. The paper is based on a critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative literature sources on
nurse staffing and patient care outcomes.
Nursing Practice Problem and PICOT Question
Inadequate nurse staffing is a common problem experienced in many healthcare facilities.
Although a low nurse-to-patient ration has been categorized as a practical solution to many
nursing practice challenges, very few hospitals have attained the projected ratio of 1:2. A
deficiency in nurse-to-patient ratio leads to creating an environment that increases the risk of
Hospital Acquired Injuries (HAI) such as falls, medication errors, missed care, and pressure
ulcers (Blegen, Goode, Spetz, Vaughn, & Park, 2011). Morbidity and mortality rates are also
significantly higher in settings typified by a high nurse-to-patient ratio. This paper employs the
PICOT approach to assess the effects of low nurse-to-patient ratio on patient care outcomes and
the satisfaction of nurses and patients with care.
