What influences the organisation of nurse staffing in intensive care?

Nurse staffing in intensive care is typically based on the number of nurses per patient (nurse to patient ratio), with more nurses needed to care for the most unwell patients. New research showed that many other factors influence how nurse staffing is organised. The mix of nurses ' skills and experience, the layout of the ward, and the availability of other professionals in the team, all had an impact. The potential impact on patient safety and nurses ' wellbeing was considered.
The study was set up to explore how closely nurse to patient ratios are followed in intensive care units, and whether this is the best way to organise nurse staffing.
The researchers found that nurse to patient ratios were seen as a recommendation rather than a rule. Nurse staffing changed throughout the day to respond to patient and staff needs. Teams of different professions (including doctors, and physiotherapists) worked together to respond to situations as they arose.
Future decisions about nurse staffing should consider factors other than nurse to patient ratios, the study concludes.

Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - October 27, 2022 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news