Becker's Healthcare June 12, 2024
Supplementing gaps in nursing staff with lower-wage personnel like licensed practical nurses or aides can increase patient risks of readmission, death, longer stays and lower satisfaction, according to a study published June 10 in Medical Care.
The study, led by researchers at Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, found that the outcomes of 6.5 million Medicare patients at 2,676 general acute care hospitals across the U.S. are worse even with modest substitutions for RN care.
A 10% reduction in RN staff raises the risk of patient deaths by 7%, according to the study. Readmission rates associated with a 10% reduction in RN staff were also found to make up about $68.5 million in avoidable costs paid by Medicare.
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