| Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (research studies, reports, etc.). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states. |
||
| Evidence 1: In a study by Haegdorens et al. (2019) it was identified that insufficient staffing leads to rationing of time to care for each patient. This often leads to missed care events which can have disastrous outcomes including preventable deaths. | ||
| Evidence 2: McHugh et al. (2021) conducted a study on nurse-to-patient ratio legislation in Queensland Australia, in 27 intervention hospitals. The results indicated positive outcomes including lower costs from fewer readmissions and shorter lengths of stay for patients which initially contributed to more than twice the cost of the additional nurse staffing. | ||
| Evidence 3: In a study by Lasater et al. (2021) conducted in New York Hospitals, it was established that hospitals that had implemented a nurse-to-patient ratio legislation capped at 1:4 nurses to patients had better outcomes with an estimated 4370 lives saved and over $700 million in cost savings over the 2-year study period attributed to shorter lengths of stay and avoided readmissions. | ||
| Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support. |
||
| Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 | Nurses are the main stakeholders who will support the initiative, given that they are most affected by inadequate nurse-to-patient ratios other than patients. Nurses face high levels of burnout in settings that have inadequate ratios (Lasater et al., 2021). That’s why they will gladly accept the proposal to increase the staffing levels through a legislative mandate. | |
| Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2 | Patients will also support the legislative action because of the benefits they will enjoy from increased nurse-to-patient ratios, including shorter hospitalization periods, reduced missed care incidents, shorter delays while receiving care, and overall improved care quality (Haegdorens et al., 2019). | |