Missed nursing care, staffing, and patient falls

J Nurs Care Qual. 2012 Jan-Mar;27(1):6-12. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e318225aa23.

Abstract

Patient falls in hospitals continue to be a major and costly problem. This study tested the mediating effect of missed nursing care on the relationship of staffing levels (hours per patient day [HPPD]) and patient falls. The sample was 124 patient units in 11 hospitals. The HPPD was negatively associated with patient falls (r = -0.36, P < .01), and missed nursing care was found to mediate the relationship between HPPD and patient falls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hospital Bed Capacity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nursing Administration Research
  • Nursing Care / standards*
  • Nursing Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / statistics & numerical data*