Nr532 Week 7: Quality of Healthcare
Nr532 Week 7: Quality. In the state (California) where you reside, explore and share with your peers any mandated nursing staff ratios. Would you recommend any changes? Please explain your rationale
Nr532 Week 7: Quality Answer
Some of the mandated nursing ratios in California are as follows:
| Type of Care | RN to Patient Ratio |
|---|---|
| Critical Care/Unit | 1:2 |
| Neonatal ICU | 1:2 |
| Labor & Delivery | 1:2 (active labor) |
| Antepartum | 1:4 (non-active labor) |
| Medical/Surgical | 1:5 |
The mandated nursing ratios have significantly contributed to the overall improvement in healthcare productivity in California. Research by Olley, Edwards, Avery, and Cooper (2018) emphasizes that low registered nurse to patient ratios can lead to detrimental outcomes such as job dissatisfaction, staff burnout, fatigue, prolonged hospital stays, healthcare-related complications, and increased mortality.
Therefore, the establishment and adherence to policies and guidelines, as exemplified by California’s mandated ratios, are crucial for enhancing both patient and nurse outcomes. These ratios ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of care without compromising the well-being of the nursing staff.
Reference:
Olley, R., Edwards, D., Avery, M., & Cooper, A. (2018). Safe nurse staffing levels: A prerequisite for safe nursing care. British Journal of Nursing, 27(20), 1182-1187.
