Do nurse staffing levels affect patient mortality in acute secondary care?

Abstract

This systematic literature review explores and considers whether registered nurse staffing levels affect patient mortality in acute secondary care settings. A discussion makes particular reference to the philosophical foundations of contrasting research approaches used within the literature. At the time of writing, the author was a modern matron for surgery, managing the ear, nose and throat; head and neck; airway; and reconstructive plastic surgery services in a large acute teaching hospital in central London. Effective management and leadership of acute clinical areas requires appropriate nurse:patient ratios. In practice settings, patient to staff ratios are based on care being provided by highly skilled and competent nurses providing best-quality, evidence-based practice.