Nursing Team Composition and Mortality Following Acute Hospital Admission.

Importance: Many studies show the adverse consequences of insufficient nurse staffing in hospitals, but safe and effective staffing is unlikely to be just about staff numbers. There are considerable areas of uncertainty, including whether temporary staff can safely make up shortfalls in permanent staff and whether using experienced staff can mitigate the effect of staff shortages. Objective: To explore the association of the composition of the nursing team with the risk of patient deaths. Design, Setting, and Participants: This patient-level longitudinal observational study was conducted in 185 wards in 4 acute hospital trusts in England between April 2015 and March 2020. Eligible participants were patients with an overnight stay and nursing staff on adult inpatient wards. Data analysis was conducted from month April 2022 to June 2023. Exposure: Naturally occurring variation during the first 5 days of hospital admission in exposure to days of low staffing from registered nurses (RNs) and nursing support (NS) staff, the proportion of RNs, proportion of senior staff, and proportion of hospital-employed (bank) and agency temporary staff. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was death within 30 days of admission. Mixed-effect Cox proportional hazards survival models were used. Results: Data from 626 313 admissions (319 518 aged ≥65 years [51.0%]; 348 464 female [55.6%]) were included. Risk of death was increased when patients were exposed to low staffing from RNs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.08; 95% CI 1.07-1.09) and NS staff (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.08). A 10% increase in the proportion of temporary RNs was associated with a 2.3% increase in the risk of death, with no difference between agency (aHR, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04) and bank staff (aHR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04). A 10% increase in the proportion of agency NS was associated with a 4% increase in risk of death (aHR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06). Evidence on the seniority of staff was mixed. Model coefficients were used to estimate the association of using temporary staff to avoid low staffing and found that risk was reduced but remained elevated compared with baseline. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that having senior nurses in the nursing team did not mitigate the adverse outcomes associated with low nurse staffing. These findings indicate that while the benefits of avoiding low staffing may be greater than the harms associated with using temporary staff, particularly for RNs, risk remains elevated if temporary staff are used to fill staffing shortages, which challenges the assumption that temporary staff are a cost-effective long-term solution to maintaining patient safety.

A comparative analysis of nurses' reported number of patients and perceived appropriate number of patients in integrated nursing care services.

This study aimed to compare the number of assigned and appropriate patients per nurse in integrated nursing care service wards and analyze factors associated with the gap. For this cross-sectional secondary analysis, data were collected from surveys of 2312 nurses and institutional data from their affiliated 106 hospitals in Korea. We used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and t-test to compare the number of patients assigned to nurses with the number they considered appropriate. We used ratio analysis for measuring the gap between these numbers, and robust regression to evaluate the factors affecting this gap. The results found an average gap of 1.45, indicating that the reported number of assigned patients per nurse was 1.45 times higher than the appropriate number. Gender, employment type, wage satisfaction, workload, overtime work, and hospital level of care were identified as factors associated with the gap. Findings suggest that the current nurse staffing standard should be revised to consider nurses' professional judgments of appropriate staffing levels and adopt policies that reduce nurses' workload.

Interprofessional Staffing Pattern Clusters in U.S. ICUs.

OBJECTIVES: To identify interprofessional staffing pattern clusters used in U.S. ICUs. DESIGN: Latent class analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Adult U.S. ICUs. PATIENTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. ANALYSIS: We used data from a staffing survey that queried respondents (n = 596 ICUs) on provider (intensivist and nonintensivist), nursing, respiratory therapist, and clinical pharmacist availability and roles. We used latent class analysis to identify clusters describing interprofessional staffing patterns and then compared ICU and hospital characteristics across clusters. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified three clusters as optimal. Most ICUs (54.2%) were in cluster 1 ("higher overall staffing") characterized by a higher likelihood of good provider coverage (both intensivist [onsite 24 hr/d] and nonintensivist [orders placed by ICU team exclusively, presence of advanced practice providers, and physicians-in-training]), nursing leadership (presence of charge nurse, nurse educators, and managers), and bedside nursing support (nurses with registered nursing degrees, fewer patients per nurse, and nursing aide availability). One-third (33.7%) were in cluster 2 ("lower intensivist coverage & nursing leadership, higher bedside nursing support") and 12.1% were in cluster 3 ("higher provider coverage & nursing leadership, lower bedside nursing support"). Clinical pharmacists were more common in cluster 1 (99.4%), but present in greater than 85% of all ICUs; respiratory therapists were nearly universal. Cluster 1 ICUs were larger (median 20 beds vs. 15 and 17 in clusters 2 and 3, respectively; p < 0.001), and in larger (> 250 beds: 80.6% vs. 66.1% and 48.5%; p < 0.001), not-for-profit (75.9% vs. 69.4% and 60.3%; p < 0.001) hospitals. Telemedicine use 24 hr/d was more common in cluster 3 units (71.8% vs. 11.7% and 14.1%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of U.S. ICUs had higher staffing overall. Others tended to have either higher provider presence and nursing leadership or higher bedside nursing support, but not both.

The Evolution of Board-Certified Emergency Physicians and Staffing of Emergency Departments in Israel.

Introduction: Emergency medicine (EM) was recognized as a specialty in Israel in 1999. Fifty-nine of the 234 (25%) attending physicians working in emergency departments (ED) nationwide in 2002 were board-certified emergency physicians (EP). A 2012 study revealed that 123/270 (45%) of ED attendings were EPs, and that there were 71 EM residents. The EPs primarily worked midweek morning shifts, leaving the EDs mostly staffed by other specialties. Our objective in this study was to re-evaluate the EP workforce in Israeli EDs and their employment status and satisfaction 10 years after the last study, which was conducted in 2012. Methods: We performed a three-part, prospective cross-sectional study: 1) a survey, sent to all EDs in Israel, to assess the numbers, level of training, and specialties of physicians working in EDs; 2) an anonymous questionnaire, sent to EPs in Israel, to assess their demographics, training, employment, and work satisfaction; and 3) interviews of a convenience sample of EPs analyzed by a thematic approach. Results: There were 266 board-certified EPs, 141 (53%) of whom were employed in EDs full-time or part-time. Sixty-two non-EPs also worked in EDs. The EPs were present in the EDs primarily during weekday morning shifts. There were 273 EM residents nationwide. A total of 101 questionnaires were completed and revealed that EPs working part-time in the ED worked fewer hours, received higher salaries, and had more years of experience compared to EPs working full time or not working in the ED. Satisfaction correlated only with working part time. Meaningful work, diversity, and rewarding relationships with patients and colleagues were major positive reasons for working in the ED. Feeling undervalued, carrying a heavy caseload, and having complicated relationships with other hospital departments were reasons against working in the ED. Conclusion: Our study findings showed an increase in the number of trained and in-training EPs, and a decrease in the percentage of board-certified EPs who persevere in the EDs. Emergency medicine in Israel is at a crossroads: more physicians are choosing EM than a decade ago, but retention of board-certified EPs is a major concern, as it is worldwide. We recommend taking measures to maintain trained and experienced EPs working in the ED by allowing part-time ED positions, introducing dedicated academic time, and diversifying EP roles, functioning, and work routine.

Alternative Models of Nurse Staffing May Be Dangerous in High-Stakes Hospital Care.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals are resurrecting the outdated "team nursing" model of staffing that substitutes lower-wage staff for registered nurses (RNs). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether reducing the proportion of RNs to total nursing staff in hospitals is in the best interest of patients, hospitals, and payers. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective. SUBJECTS: In all, 6,559,704 Medicare patients in 2676 general acute-care US hospitals in 2019. MEASURES: Patient outcomes: in-hospital and 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, length of stay, and patient satisfaction. Avoidable Medicare costs associated with readmissions and cost savings to hospitals associated with shorter stays are projected. RESULTS: A 10 percentage-point reduction in RNs was associated with 7% higher odds of in-hospital death, 1% higher odds of readmission, 2% increase in expected days, and lower patient satisfaction. We estimate a 10 percentage-point reduction in RNs would result in 10,947 avoidable deaths annually and 5207 avoidable readmissions, which translates into roughly $68.5 million in additional Medicare costs. Hospitals would forgo nearly $3 billion in cost savings annually because of patients requiring longer stays. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the proportion of RNs in hospitals, even when total nursing personnel hours are kept the same, is likely to result in significant avoidable patient deaths, readmissions, longer lengths of stay, and decreased patient satisfaction, in addition to excess Medicare costs and forgone cost savings to hospitals. Estimates represent only a 10 percentage-point dilution in skill mix; however, the team nursing model includes much larger reductions of 40-50 percentage-points-the human and economic consequences of which could be substantial.

The Relationship between Nursing Home Staffing and Health Outcomes Revisited.

OBJECTIVE: Nursing homes make staffing decisions in conjunction with choosing quality goals, potentially leading to endogeneity bias between staffing and quality. We use instrumental variables (IVs) to explore it. DESIGN: Retrospective statistical analysis of 2017-2019 Payroll-Based Journal, Minimum Data Set, Nursing Home Care Compare, and Long-Term Care Focus. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 11,261 nursing homes nationally. METHODS: We estimated separate models for each of 6 quality measures as dependent variables, and registered nurses (RNs), certified nurse assistants (CNAs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) as independent variables, including other control variables associated with quality. The models were estimated using both ordinary least squares (OLS) and 2-stage least squares (2SLS) methods, the latter accounting for endogeneity. The IVs were defined as the average staffing of competing nursing homes in the same market as the index facility. RESULTS: Estimated coefficients for the quality measures in the 2SLS models were up to 5 times larger than in the OLS models. The 2SLS estimates for antipsychotic medications use increased with higher RN staffing [0.279 (0.004 to 0.553)] and decreased with higher CNAs [-0.125 (-0.198 to -0.052)]. Hospitalizations decreased with more RNs [-1.328 (-1.673 to -0.983)] and LPN staffing [-0.483 (-0.755 to -0.211])] and increased with CNA [0.201 (0.109 to 0.293)] staffing. Emergency room visits decreased with higher RNs [-1.098 (-1.500 to -0.696)] and increased with CNAs [0.191 (0.084 to 0.298)]. Long-stay activities of daily living [-0.313 (-0.416 to -0.209)] and short-stay functioning [-0.481 (-0.598 to -0.364)] improved only with higher CNA staffing and pressure sores improved only with increased RN staffing [-0.436 (-0.836 to -0.035)]. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for endogeneity in studies of staffing and quality. Endogeneity changes conclusions about significance, direction, and magnitude of the relationship between staffing and specific quality measures. These findings highlight the need to further study and understand the nuanced relationship between different staffing types and different health outcomes such as the difference between the relationship of RN and CNA hours per resident day to antipsychotic quality measures.

Patient experience and nurse staffing level in South Korea.

Patient experience has recently become a key driver for hospital quality improvement in South Korea, marked by the introduction of the Patient Experience Assessment (PXA) within its National Health Insurance in 2017. While the PXA has garnered special attention from the media and hospitals, there has been a lack of focus on its structural determinants, hindering continuous and sustained improvement in patient experience. Given the relatively low number of practicing nurses per 1000 population in South Korea and the significant variation in nurse staffing levels across hospitals, the staffing level of nurses in hospitals could be a crucial structural determinant of patient experience. This study examines the association between patient experience and hospital nurse staffing levels in South Korea. We used individual- and hospital-level data from the 2019 PXA, encompassing 7250 patients from 42 tertiary hospitals and 16 235 patients from 109 non-tertiary general hospitals with 300 or more beds. The dependent variables were derived from the complete set of 21 proper questions on patient experience in the Nurse and other domains. The main explanatory variable was the hospital-level Nurse Staffing Grade (NSG), employed by the National Health Insurance to adjust reimbursement to hospitals. Multilevel ordered/binomial logistic or linear regression was conducted accounting for other hospital- and patient-level characteristics as well as acknowledging the nested nature of the data. A clear, positive association was observed between patient experience in the Nurse domain and NSG, even after accounting for other characteristics. For example, the predicted probability of reporting the top-box category of "Always" to the question "How often did nurses treat you with courtesy and respect?" was 70.3% among patients from non-tertiary general hospitals with the highest NSG, compared to 63.1% among patients from their peer hospitals with the lowest NSG. Patient experience measured in other domains that were likely to be affected by nurse staffing levels also showed similar associations, although generally weaker and less consistent than in the Nurse domain. Better patient experience was associated with higher hospital nurse staffing levels in South Korea. Alongside current initiatives focused on measuring and publicly reporting patient experience, strengthening nursing and other hospital workforce should also be included in policy efforts to improve patient experience.

Status of the midwifery workforce and childbirth services and the impact of midwife staffing on birth outcomes in China: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status of the midwifery workforce and childbirth services in China and to identify the association between midwife staffing and childbirth outcomes. DESIGN: A descriptive, multicentre cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Maternity hospitals from the eastern, central and western regions of China. PARTICIPANTS: Stratified sampling of maternity hospitals between 1 July and 31 December 2021.The sample hospitals received a package of questionnaires, and the head midwives from the participating hospitals were invited to fill in the questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 180 hospitals were selected and investigated, staffed with 4159 midwives, 412 obstetric nurses and 1007 obstetricians at the labour and delivery units. The average efficiency index of annual midwifery services was 272 deliveries per midwife. In the sample hospitals, 44.9% of women had a caesarean delivery and 21.4% had an episiotomy. Improved midwife staffing was associated with reduced rates of instrumental vaginal delivery (adjusted ß -0.032, 95% CI -0.115 to -0.012, p<0.05) and episiotomy (adjusted ß -0.171, 95% CI -0.190 to -0.056, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The rates of childbirth interventions including the overall caesarean section in China and the episiotomy rate, especially in the central region, remain relatively high. Improved midwife staffing was associated with reduced rates of instrumental vaginal delivery and episiotomy, indicating that further investments in the midwifery workforce could produce better childbirth outcomes.

Effects of Nurse Staffing on Missed Breastfeeding Support in Maternity Units With Different Nurse Work Environments.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of nurse staffing in varying work environments on missed breastfeeding teaching and support in inpatient maternity units in the United States. BACKGROUND: Breast milk is the optimal food for newborns. Teaching and supporting women in breastfeeding are primarily a nurse's responsibility. Better maternity nurse staffing (fewer patients per nurse) is associated with less missed breastfeeding teaching and support and increased rates of breastfeeding. We examined the extent to which the nursing work environment, staffing, and nurse education were associated with missed breastfeeding care and how the work environment and staffing interacted to impact missed breastfeeding care. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study using the 2015 National Database of Nursing Quality Indicator survey, maternity nurses in hospitals in 48 states and the District of Columbia responded about their workplace and breastfeeding care. Clustered logistic regression models with interactions were used to estimate the effects of the nursing work environment and staffing on missed breastfeeding care. RESULTS: There were 19 486 registered nurses in 444 hospitals. Nearly 3 in 10 (28.2%) nurses reported missing breastfeeding care. In adjusted models, an additional patient per nurse was associated with a 39% increased odds of missed breastfeeding care. Furthermore, 1 standard deviation decrease in the work environment was associated with a 65% increased odds of missed breastfeeding care. In an interaction model, staffing only had a significant impact on missed breastfeeding care in poor work environments. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the work environment is more fundamental than staffing for ensuring that not only breastfeeding care is not missed but also breastfeeding care is sensitive to nurse staffing. Improvements to the work environment support the provision of breastfeeding care. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: Both nurse staffing and the work environment are important for improving breastfeeding rates, but the work environment is foundational.

Effects of the nursing practice environment, nurse staffing, patient surveillance and escalation of care on patient mortality: A multi-source quantitative study.

BACKGROUND: A favourable nursing practice environment and adequate nurse staffing have been linked to reduced patient mortality. However, the contribution of nursing care processes such as patient surveillance and escalation of care, on patient mortality is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the nursing practice environment, nurse staffing, missed care related to patient surveillance and escalation of care on 30-day inpatient mortality. DESIGN: A multi-source quantitative study including a cross-sectional survey of nurses, and retrospective data extracted from an audit of medical and admission records. SETTING(S): A large tertiary teaching hospital (600 beds) in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. METHODS: Data on the nursing practice environment, nurse staffing and missed care were obtained from the nursing survey. Patient deterioration data and patient outcome data were collected from the medical and admission records respectively. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the nursing practice environment, patient deterioration and 30-day inpatient mortality accounting for clustering of episodes within patients using generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 304 nurses (84.5 % female, mean age 34.4 years, 93.4 % Registered Nurses) from 16 wards. Patient deterioration data was collected for 30,011 patient deterioration events and 63,847 admitted patient episodes of care. Each additional patient per nurse (OR = 1.22, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.43) and the presence of increased missed care for patient surveillance (OR = 1.13, 95 % CI = 1.03-1.23) were associated with higher risk of 30-day inpatient mortality. The use of a clinical emergency response system reduced the risk of mortality (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI = 0.76-0.89). A sub-group analysis excluding aged care units identified a 38 % increase in 30-day inpatient mortality for each additional patient per nurse (OR = 1.38, 95 % CI = 1.15-1.65). The nursing practice environment was also significantly associated with mortality (OR = 0.79, 95 % CI: 0.72-0.88) when aged care wards were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Patient mortality can be reduced by increasing nurse staffing levels and improving the nursing practice environment. Nurses play a pivotal role in patient safety and improving nursing care processes to minimise missed care related to patient surveillance and ensuring timely clinical review for deteriorating patients reduces inpatient mortality. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Patient mortality can be reduced by improving the nursing practice environment & increasing the number of nurses so that nurses have more time to monitor patients. Investing in nurses results in lower mortality and better outcomes. #PatientSafety #NurseStaffing #WorkEnvironment #Mortality.

Clinical Full-Time Equivalent in PICUs: Survey of the U.S. Pediatric Critical Care Chiefs Network, 2020-2022.

OBJECTIVES: To inform workforce planning for pediatric critical care (PCC) physicians, it is important to understand current staffing models and the spectrum of clinical responsibilities of physicians. Our objective was to describe the expected workload associated with a clinical full-time equivalent (cFTE) in PICUs across the U.S. Pediatric Critical Care Chiefs Network (PC3N). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: PICUs participating in the PC3N. SUBJECTS: PICU division chiefs or designees participating in the PC3N from 2020 to 2022. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A series of three surveys were used to capture unit characteristics and clinical responsibilities for an estimated 1.0 cFTE intensivist. Out of a total of 156 PICUs in the PC3N, the response rate was 46 (30%) to all three distributed surveys. Respondents used one of four models to describe the construction of a cFTE-total clinical hours, total clinical shifts, total weeks of service, or % full-time equivalent. Results were stratified by unit size. The model used for construction of a cFTE did not vary significantly by the total number of faculty nor the total number of beds. The median (interquartile range) of clinical responsibilities annually for a 1.0 cFTE were: total clinical hours 1750 (1483-1858), total clinical shifts 142 (129-177); total weeks of service 13.0 (11.3-16.0); and total night shifts 52 (36-60). When stratified by unit size, larger units had fewer nights or overnight hours, but covered more beds per shift. CONCLUSIONS: This survey of the PC3N (2020-2022) provides the most contemporary description of clinical responsibilities associated with a cFTE physician in PCC. A 1.0 cFTE varies depending on unit size. There is no correlation between the model used to construct a cFTE and the associated clinical responsibilities.

A Single-resident Experience of Overnight Call Activity at a Multi-site Academic Health System.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize urology resident on-call activities overnight at a multi-site academic medical center and model the expected volume of clinical activity using inpatient beds, emergency room visits, and attendings covered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On-call activities for 70 13-hour overnight shifts spanning 5 nonconsecutive months between May 2022 and February 2023 were recorded. Clinical coverage included 5 academic hospitals encompassing 1761 staffed inpatient beds and an expected nightly volume of 255 Emergency Department (ED) visits. The time, source, and clinical features of every call were documented. RESULTS: An average of 15 unique calls were received during each shift. Of these, 35% required an in-person evaluation and 12% required a bedside or operative procedure. Approximately a third of calls (36%) were received after midnight. An in-person evaluation occurred within the first hour of 53% of shifts and every shift required at least 1 evaluation. When normalized for inpatient bed volume, an average of 7 unique patient communications occurred per 1000 beds, leading to 2 in-person evaluations. When normalized for an expected number of overnight ED visits, an average of 1 new ED consultation occurred per 100 ED visits. CONCLUSION: After-hours clinical coverage models vary significantly by specialty and institution, and coverage decisions must balance quality clinical care with safe provider workload. Patient needs were appropriately addressed by a single overnight on-call resident, providing a robust clinical experience. The volume of patient care activities in this experience supports the practice of a "night-float" resident with the clear expectation on-site care is required.

Diverse perspectives on unit-level nurse staffing ratios in medical-surgical units: A Delphi policy analysis.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate staffing is essential to acute care delivery. Staffing ratio policy generates controversy. PURPOSE: This study examines perspectives on unit-level nurse-to-patient ratio policy in adult medical-surgical units. METHOD: Delphi methodology uses an invited diverse panel to analyze a policy's effects. Panelists completed iterative surveys about the impact they expect from unit-level ratio policy. FINDINGS: Panelists demonstrated moderate agreement that the proposed policy could increase staffing levels, decrease patient length of stay, and reduce nurse attrition. Other potential outcomes included reducing staffing in units above the minimum and increasing short-term costs. Panelists agreed that the policy could increase patient safety and nurse satisfaction and did not agree about the effect on long-term cost and innovation. Panelists also anticipated a mostly positive effect on patients and nurses. DISCUSSION: Policies that set unit-level nurse-to-patient ratios offer a potential strategy to improve medical-surgical staffing. Policy design should consider the range of expected outcomes.

Staffing and Antipsychotic Medication Use in Nursing Homes and Neighborhood Deprivation.

Importance: Inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes is a growing public health concern. Residents exposed to higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation in the area around a nursing home may be currently exposed, or have a long history of exposure, to more noise pollution, higher crime rates, and have less opportunities to safely go outside the facility, which may contribute to psychological stress and increased risk of receiving antipsychotic medications inappropriately. However, it is unclear whether neighborhood deprivation is associated with use of inappropriate antipsychotic medications and whether this outcome is different by facility staffing levels. Objective: To evaluate whether reported inappropriate antipsychotic medication use differs in severely and less severely deprived neighborhoods, and whether these differences are modified by higher levels of total nurse staffing. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a national sample of nursing homes that linked across 3 national large-scale data sets for the year 2019. Analyses were conducted between April and June 2023. Exposure: Neighborhood deprivation status (severe vs less severe) and total staffing hours (registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant). Main Outcome and Measures: This study estimated the association between neighborhood deprivation and the percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication inappropriately in the nursing home at least once in the past week and how this varied by nursing home staffing through generalized estimating equations. Analyses were conducted on the facility level and adjusted for state fixed effects. Results: This study included 10 966 nursing homes (1867 [17.0%] in severely deprived neighborhoods and 9099 [83.0%] in less deprived neighborhoods). Unadjusted inappropriate antipsychotic medication use was greater in nursing homes located in severely deprived neighborhoods (mean [SD], 15.9% [10.7%] of residents) than in those in less deprived neighborhoods (mean [SD], 14.2% [8.8%] of residents). In adjusted models, inappropriate antipsychotic medication use was higher in severely deprived neighborhoods vs less deprived neighborhoods (19.2% vs 17.1%; adjusted mean difference, 2.0 [95% CI, 0.35 to 3.71] percentage points) in nursing homes that fell below critical levels of staffing (less than 3 hours of nurse staffing per resident-day). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that levels of staffing modify disparities seen in inappropriate antipsychotic medication use among nursing homes located in severely deprived neighborhoods compared with nursing homes in less deprived neighborhoods. These findings may have important implications for improving staffing in more severely deprived neighborhoods.

TAILR (Nursing-Sensitive Events and Their Association With Individual Nurse Staffing Levels) Project: Protocol for an International Longitudinal Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Nursing-sensitive events (NSEs) are common, accounting for up to 77% of adverse events in hospitalized patients (eg, fall-related harm, pressure ulcers, and health care-associated infections). NSEs lead to adverse patient outcomes and impose an economic burden on hospitals due to increased medical costs through a prolonged hospital stay and additional medical procedures. To reduce NSEs and ensure high-quality nursing care, appropriate nurse staffing levels are needed. Although the link between nurse staffing and NSEs has been described in many studies, appropriate nurse staffing levels are lacking. Existing studies describe constant staffing exposure at the unit or hospital level without assessing patient-level exposure to nurse staffing during the hospital stay. Few studies have assessed nurse staffing and patient outcomes using a single-center longitudinal design, with limited generalizability. There is a need for multicenter longitudinal studies with improved potential for generalizing the association between individual nurse staffing levels and NSEs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to determine the prevalence, preventability, type, and severity of NSEs; (2) to describe individual patient-level nurse staffing exposure across hospitals; (3) to assess the effect of nurse staffing on NSEs in patients; and (4) to identify thresholds of safe nurse staffing levels and test them against NSEs in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This international multicenter study uses a longitudinal and observational research design; it involves 4 countries (Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, and Iran), with participation from 14 hospitals and 61 medical, surgery, and mixed units. The 16-week observation period will collect NSEs using systematic retrospective record reviews. A total of 3680 patient admissions will be reviewed, with 60 randomly selected admissions per unit. To be included, patients must have been hospitalized for at least 48 hours. Nurse staffing data (ie, the number of nurses and their education level) will be collected daily for each shift to assess the association between NSEs and individual nurse staffing levels. Additionally, hospital data (ie, type, teaching status, and ownership) and unit data (ie, service line and number of beds) will be collected. RESULTS: As of January 2024, the verification process for the plausibility and comprehensibility of patients' and nurse staffing data is underway across all 4 countries. Data analyses are planned to be completed by spring 2024, with the first results expected to be published in late 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide comprehensive information on NSEs, including their prevalence, preventability, type, and severity, across countries. Moreover, it seeks to enhance understanding of NSE mechanisms and the potential impact of nurse staffing on these events. We will evaluate within- and between-hospital variability to identify productive strategies to ensure safe nurse staffing levels, thereby reducing NSEs in hospitalized patients. The TAILR (Nursing-Sensitive Events and Their Association With Individual Nurse Staffing Levels) study will focus on the optimization of scarce staffing resources. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56262.

The importance of recovery and staffing on midwives' emotional wellbeing: A UK national survey.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a gap in the evidence on how working practices, such as the ability to take rest breaks, finish on time or intershift recovery influence outcomes. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the association of individual characteristics, work-related factors and working practices on emotional wellbeing outcomes of UK midwives. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey collated data between September and October 2020. Outcomes explored were work-related stress, burnout, being pleased with their standard of care, job satisfaction and thoughts about leaving midwifery. Univariate analysis identified the explanatory variables to be investigated using multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS: A total of 2347 midwives from the four UK nations completed the survey. No standard approach in monitoring safe staffing or in-shift or intershift recovery was found. There were high levels of work-related stress, burnout and thoughts about leaving midwifery, and low levels of job satisfaction, with just half of midwives reporting they were satisfied with the standard of care they could provide. Multivariable regression revealed that working practices variables, generally related to impeded recovery or compounded by staffing issues, had a significant association with poorer emotional wellbeing outcomes. CONCLUSION: This research has demonstrated an association between impeded recovery, including a lack of formal methods to monitor this, and poorer emotional wellbeing outcomes, and that staffing levels are highly influential in determining outcomes. There is a need to re-evaluate current approaches to job design and how midwives are expected to work.

Dementia, nurse staffing, and health outcomes in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and contrast the relationships between nurse staffing and health outcomes in nursing homes with low and high dementia census, to understand the association of staffing hours with dementia care quality. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: A national sample of nursing homes during 2017-2019 (pre-COVID). Data included the Payroll-Based Journal, Medicare Claims, Nursing Home Care Compare, and Long-Term Care Focus. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, regression analyses. We estimated separate linear models predicting six long-term facility-level outcomes. Independent variables included staffing hours per resident-day (HPRD) interacted with the facility percentage of dementia residents, controlling for other resident and facility characteristics. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Hospital-based nursing homes, those with fewer than 30% dementia residents, and missing data were excluded. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found that registered nurses and certified nurse assistants HPRDs were likely to exhibit positive returns in terms of outcomes throughout most of the range of HPRD for both high and low-census dementia facilities, although, high- and low-dementia facilities differed in most outcome rates at all staffing levels. Average predicted antipsychotics and activities of daily living as functions of HPRD were worse in higher dementia facilities, independent movement, and hospitalizations did not differ significantly, and Emergency Rooms and pressure sores were worse in lower dementia facilities. Average marginal effects were not statistically different [CI included zero] between the high and low dementia facilities for any outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increasing staffing will improve outcomes by similar increments in both low- and high-dementia facilities for all outcomes. However, at any given level of staffing, absolute differences in outcomes between low- and high-dementia facilities remain, suggesting that additional staffing alone will not suffice to close these gaps. Further studies are required to identify opportunities for improvement in performance for both low- and high-dementia census facilities.

Validation of an Instrument to guide Nursing Staffing in Obstetric Rooming in / Validación de Instrumento para fundamentar dimensionamiento de Profesionales de Enfermería em Alojamiento Conjunto / Validação de Instrumento para fundamentar dimensionamento de Profissionais de Enfermagem em Alojamento Conjunto

ABSTRACT Objectives: to construct and validate an instrument for the classification of mother-baby binomials that subsidizes personnel Staffing in in-rooming units. Method: methodological study. The construction was based on theoretical and legal references. Content validity was performed by experts through the content validity index measurement. Then, the instrument was applied to a sample of 122 binomials, and exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal components analysis. Results: the instrument consisted of seven care indicators: Birth route; Maternal morbidity; Neonatal morbidity; Breastfeeding; Social aggravating factors; Care guidance; and interaction and bonding. All with content validity index of 1. The construct was composed of 3 domains, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.62, 0.85 and 0.89. Conclusions: the classification instrument of mother-baby binomials allows the classification of mother-baby binomials and may support personnel Staffing in in-rooming units.

RESUMEN Objetivos: elaborar y validar un instrumento para clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal que subsidie el dimensionamiento de personal en unidades de alojamiento conjunto. Métodos: estudio metodológico. La construcción ha sido basada en referencias teóricas y legales. La validez de contenido ha sido realizada por expertos por medio de medición del índice de validez de contenido. Luego, el instrumento ha sido aplicado en una muestra de 122 binomios, y ha sido realizado análisis factorial exploratoria por el método de componentes principales. Resultados: el instrumento ha quedó constituido por siete indicadores de cuidado: Vía de parto; Morbilidad materna; Morbilidad neonatal; Amamantamiento; Agravantes sociales; Orientación de cuidados; e Interacción y vínculo. Todos con índice de validez de contenido iguales a 1. El constructo ha sido compuesto por 3 dominios, con Alfa de Cronbach de 0,62, 0,85 y 0,89. Conclusiones: el instrumento para la clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal permite la clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal y podrá basarse el dimensionamiento de personal en alojamiento conjunto.

RESUMO Objetivos: construir e validar um instrumento para classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato que subsidie o dimensionamento de pessoal em unidades de alojamento conjunto. Métodos: estudo metodológico. A construção foi embasada em referenciais teóricos e legais. A validade de conteúdo foi realizada por expertos por meio de mensuração do índice de validade de conteúdo. Em seguida, o instrumento foi aplicado em uma amostra de 122 binômios, e foi realizada análise fatorial exploratória pelo método de componentes principais. Resultados: o instrumento ficou constituído por sete indicadores de cuidado: Via de parto; Morbidade materna; Morbidade neonatal; Aleitamento; Agravantes sociais; Orientação de cuidados; e Interação e vínculo. Todos com índice de validade de conteúdo iguais a 1. O constructo foi composto por 3 domínios, com Alfa de Cronbach de 0,62, 0,85 e 0,89. Conclusões: o instrumento para a classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato permite a classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato e poderá embasar o dimensionamento de pessoal em alojamento conjunto.

Ganho de peso por década entre trabalhadores de um hospital público: estudo de coorte histórica / Weight gain in public hospital workers: a retrospective cohort study

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as modificações no perfil nutricional dos trabalhadores de um hospital público por três décadas e sua associação com fatores ocupacionais. Estudo de coorte histórica com trabalhadores ativos em 2013 admitidos em três períodos. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, de peso e de estatura, e calculado o índice de massa corporal (IMC) do exame admissional e de dois exames periódicos/década. Avaliados 386 trabalhadores (76,4% mulheres, 88,1% de cor de pele branca e 29,3±7,3 anos). A média do peso corporal e do IMC da admissão foram maiores naqueles admitidos em 2000 (P = 66,3 ± 12,5 kg; IMC = 21,3 ± 2,5 kg/m2), em comparação àqueles admitidos em 1980 (P = 56,7 ± 10,2 kg; IMC=21,3 ± 2,5 kg/m2) e 1990 (P = 62,2 ± 11,5 kg; IMC = 22,9 ± 3,3 kg/m2). A variação do peso e do IMC/década foi maior nos trabalhadores admitidos em 2000, em comparação com aqueles admitidos em 1990 e 1980. Quando essa comparação foi estratificada por sexo, a diferença na variação do peso e do IMC/década foi observada apenas nos homens. Turno de trabalho e categoria profissional não foram associados com a variação do peso corporal e IMC. O aumento ponderal e do IMC refletem a transição nutricional observada no País, o que reforça a necessidade de vigilância nutricional e educação continuada desses trabalhadores.

Abstract This study assessed changes in the nutrition profile of public hospital workers over a period of three decades and the association between nutritional status and occupational factors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with staff taken on in 1980, 1990, and 2000 still working in the hospital in 2013. The following data was obtained from staff records: sociodemographic characteristics; and body weight and height, recorded during pre-employment and periodic medical examinations. The latter was used to calculate body mass index (BMI).The final sample consisted of 386 workers (76.4% women and 88.1% white) with a mean age of 29.3 ± 7.3 years. Mean body weight and BMI at admission were highest in the 2000 cohort (W = 66.3 ± 12.5kg; BMI = 21.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2), compared to 1980 (W = 56.7 ± 10.2 kg; BMI = 21.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2)and 1990 (W = 62.2 ± 11.5 kg; BMI = 22.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) cohorts. Variation in weight and BMI between the pre-employment examination and final periodic examination was highest in the 2000 cohort. When stratified by sex, this difference in variation was observed only in men. No association was found between variation in body weight and BMI and work shift and occupation. The increase in weight and BMI reflects the nutritional transition in Brazil, underscoring the need for nutritional surveillance and the implementation of health education programs directed at staff.