COVID-19 Patient Outcomes in the Context of Hospitals Chronically Under-Resourced Nursing Services

Dr. Karen B. Lasater, PhD, RN, FAAN presents on nurse staffing, working environment and nurse to patient ratios' impact on COVID-19 patient mortality. The presentation discusses the newly published article in the international Journal of Nursing Studies entitled: "Hospital nurse staffing variation and Covid-19 deaths: A cross-sectional study" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748924001421 

The researchers observed that for each additional patient assigned to a nurse there was on average a 20% higher risk of in-hospital death. The article concludes: "Patients with Covid-19 admitted to hospitals with adequate numbers of RNs caring for patients, a workforce rich in BSN-qualified RNs, and high-quality nurse work environments (both prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic) were more likely to survive the hospitalization. Bolstering these hospital nursing resources during ordinary times is necessary to ensure better patient outcomes and emergency-preparedness of hospitals for future public health emergencies." Health Watch USAsup>sm meeting August 21, 2024. YouTube Video https://youtu.be/6toFNY86uIc