Emergency
Better ratios mean improved outcomes in paediatric EDs
Increased nurse staffing has a marked effect upon patient outcomes in paediatric emergency departments, a recent study has shown.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, analysed administrative data of 21,956 patients gathered from a university hospital’s paediatric emergency department in the first half of 2019.
It found that increases of nursing numbers reduced the average stay of patients in the emergency department by 2% per additional nursing staff member.
Further, the study found that a decline in nurse-to-patient ratios correlated with an increase of patients leaving before treatment completion.
It concluded that nurse-to-patient ratios did in fact affect patient outcomes and quality of care in the scenario studied.
While studies on the effects of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient outcomes have been commonplace over the past few decades, the study is the first to focus on a paediatric emergency department.
The study was conducted by a Finish team, led by nursing academic Katja Janhunen.
Support the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association‘s campaign for nurse-to-patient ratios across the state by signing this ePetition today.
Kay Best says
Glad to see that we finally have Paed specific research to confirm what those of us who work in Paed. Emergency have known for years. Paediatrics is more labour intensive than adult nursing.
Bernece Kennedy says
So important for children to be put at ease by forming friendly relationships. Time spent with them is part of the healing process.