In England, a survey of nurses at 31 National Health Service trusts about missed nursing care caused by understaffing, defined as not completing crucial activities such as patient surveillance, timely medication administration and adequate documentation, finds that while the average hospital has a one-to-eight nurse-patient ratio, some nurses treated up to 18 patients at a time. The study calculated that every extra patient on a nurse's caseload increased mortality rates by 7%, while a 10% increase in the amount of care left undone was linked to a 16% increase in patient mortality following a common surgery. When looking at the nurses' qualifications, the researchers found hospitals staffing more nurses with higher degrees had lower patient mortality risk.
Related News:
Every extra patient on a nurse's caseload increases death risks - The Telegraph
Study: Every extra patient on a nurse's caseload increases mortality risk 7% - Becker's Hospital Review
Introducing advanced nurse role has reduced hospital admissions from nursing homes - Nursing Times
NBHC Care Experience