NURS 6052 Module 4 Assignment Critical Appraisal of Research

NURS 6052 Module 4 Assignment

Critical Appraisal of Research

Student Name

Walden University

NURS 6052

Professor Name

Submission Date

Introduction

A review of existing research on nurse staffing and its association with the outcomes of the patient and the nurse workforce shows there is a common thread. Proper nurse staffing levels are crucial for patient care outcomes, nurse job satisfaction, and organizational health. This critical appraisal draws on findings from a number of important lines of research to show that the effective and evidence-based implementation of appropriate nurse staffing ratios is best practice in health facilities.

Evidence-Based Nurse Staffing Ratios are the focus of the Best Practice

The best nurse staffing ratios have been noted as being meaningful to patient and nurse outcomes. For instance, Assaye et al. (2020) did a systematic review, and the results indicated that staffing levels are a predictor of patient safety, patient satisfaction, and reduction of adverse events. Furthermore, the cross-sectional study conducted by Lasater et al. (2021) demonstrated that understaffing nurses in the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic worsened morbidity and mortality rates of patients, which further emphasizes the importance of proper staffing in the acute care hospital.

Similarly, Almenyan et al. (2021) noted that complications and poor recovery are overstated in the intensive care units as a result of a high level of workload for nurses. We believe that the study of Qureshi et al. (2021) is quantitative in nature and projects the effect of the ratio of nursing staff to patient numbers using discrete event simulation and finds increasing ratios to be beneficial for the quality of patient care and to reduce the negative effect of the pressure of the nursing workforce on the performance of the nurse.

Therefore, the Science Institute created the nurse staffing ratios as one of the best practices. The nurse-to-patient ratio should be taken into account when making a staffing policy.

Justification

The rationale for the identification of this best practice is rather complex. First, all studies show that there is a direct link between patients’ outcomes and staffing. For instance, Assaye et al. (2020) pointed out that improving the number of nursing staff decreases adverse events, ultimately improving patient safety. Moreover, Lasater et al. (2021) have stated that a lack of staffing in hospitals is detrimental to the patient’s interest and safety and also impacts the nurse staff, which will lead to stress, burnout, high nurse turnover rates, and recurrent staffing issues.

In the study, Almenyan et al. (2021) mentioned that when the number of nurses in their workplace is not too large, they can work well to explain patient care, and they do their work with satisfaction. This can then help to break the vicious circle of nurse turnover that can place an even greater strain on staffing and, ultimately, patient care.

Finally, using standard staffing ratios implements the evidence-based practice that calls for care that has been informed by proof or research. Empirical results obtained from simulation studies and systematic reviews enable managers of care institutions to make management decisions that ensure patient safety and quality of care (Qureshi et al., 2021).

Conclusion

To conclude, the study discussed above should motivate the use of evidence-based nurse staffing as one of the good practices in health care corporations. The staffing shortage issues can be addressed and, when addressed properly, healthcare facilities will achieve better patient care, more engaged and happier nurses, and higher patient safety. It is important to correct the ongoing problems of the nurses

References

Assaye, A. M., Wiechula, R., Schultz, T. J., & Feo, R. (2020). JBI Evidence Synthesis, Publish Ahead of Print(4), 751–793. https://doi.org/10.11124/jbisrir-d-19-00426

Almenyan, A. A., Albuduh, A., & Al-Abbas, F. (2021). Effect of nursing workload in intensive care units. Cureus, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.12674

Lasater, K. B., Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., French, R., Martin, B., Reneau, K., Alexander, M., & McHugh, M. D. (2021). BMJ Quality & Safety, 30(8), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2020-011512

Qureshi, S. M., Purdy, N., Mohani, A., & Neumann, W. P. (2021). Journal of Nursing Management, 27(5), 971–980. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12757