Journal of nursing care quality
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparative safety and costs of transparent versus gauze wound dressings in intravenous catheterization.
The type of dressing selected for intravascular catheters may influence costs and complications. We carried out a clinical trial to compare the safety and costs of transparent and gauze dressings. ⋯ The total cost per patient was $24.82 for transparent and $38.85 for gauze. The results indicate similar safety but increased cost associated with gauze dressings.
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Evidence links the amount of registered nurse care to improved patient outcomes in large hospitals, but little is known about registered nurse staffing in small critical access hospitals, which comprise 30% of all US hospitals. Our study findings show that the unique work environment of critical access hospitals means registered nurses are often overextended, reassigned from inpatient care, and/or interrupted creating potential safety and quality risks. Further research is needed to understand what critical access hospitals consider "safe" levels of nurse staffing and what processes are implemented to mitigate these risks.