Journal of nursing management
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This paper revisits the published evidence relating to how nurse staffing levels impact on patient, nurse and service outcomes and considers the implications of this body of research for nurse managers in their quest to determine optimum nursing numbers. ⋯ The majority of research in the field relates to the acute service sector and there are considerable similarities in issues that transcend international boundaries. Much of the research focuses on the impact on patients and nurses of 'poor' nurse staffing levels. More recent studies have explored the impact of nurse staffing levels on the service organization itself. However, while there may be an association between models of nurse staffing and outcomes, there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between these factors. In this context it is perhaps time to reconsider how nursing outcomes are defined and measured. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT AND CONCLUSION: Nurse managers, commissioners of services and workforce planners need to be cognisant of key issues and analyses in the consideration of nurse staffing levels. Not least of these is the need for a healthy degree of caution regarding the supposed objectivity, scientific basis, or evidence base, for rational calculation of optimum nurse staffing levels.
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This paper seeks to consider how nursing as a profession in the United Kingdom is developing its role in shaping and influencing policy using lessons learnt from a policy study tour undertaken in the United States of America and extensive experience as a senior nurse within the government, the health service and more recently within a Professional Organization. ⋯ All leaders and other stakeholders require to play their part in considering how the actions set out in this article can be taken forward and how gaps such as education, fellowship experience and media engagement can be addressed in the future.
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This paper reports a review of the empirical literature on factors that contribute to medication errors. ⋯ It is imperative that managers implement strategies to reduce medication errors including the establishment of reporting mechanisms at international and national levels to include the evaluation and audit of practice at a local level. Systematic approaches to medication reconciliation can also reduce medication error significantly. Promoting consistency between health care professionals as to what constitutes medication error will contribute to increased accuracy and compliance in reporting of medication errors, thereby informing health care policies aimed at reducing the occurrence of medication errors. Acquisition and maintenance of mathematical competency for nurses in practice is an important issue in the prevention of medication error. The health care industry can benefit from learning from other high-risk industries such as aviation in the prevention and management of systems errors.
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Aims (i) To assess the level of patients' experiences of nursing care and identify important aspects that enhance such experiences; (ii) to assess the level of patients' satisfaction with nursing care and identify important aspects that enhance satisfaction; and (iii) to compare the level of patients' satisfaction and their experiences according to demographic variables of patients, hospital wards and hospital settings. Design and method A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. The sample of the study was a convenience one (n = 300). ⋯ Gynaecological patients were more satisfied than medical/surgical patients and patients in the semi-private hospitals were more satisfied than those in public hospitals. Implications for nursing management The findings of the study provided the basis for developing strategies that may enhance the level of Jordanian patients' satisfaction. Conclusion The findings of the study provide nurses with information about aspects that enhance or hinder patient satisfaction.