Evidence-based standards for measuring nurse staffing and performance

The advisory committee members are acknowledged for their guidance in the development of the data collection tools and for their assistance in interpreting the results and their input on the feasibility of collecting significant data elements on an ongoing basis. [...] The evidence supports the need for ii a significant change in the way organizations view costs and suggests that the emphasis on cost of inputs should shift to the cost of outputs and the quality of care. [...] Rationale: Nurse ratings of good/excellent quality of nursing care are 606 percent more likely when nurses rate the quality of patient care over the past year as improved and 159 percent more likely when nurses are satisfied. [...] Rationale: Ratings of improved quality of patient care over the past year are 915 percent more likely when nurses report good/excellent quality of nursing care and are 40 percent more likely for every 10 percent increase in degree-prepared nurses on the unit. [...] However, intent to leave is 97 percent less likely for every 10 percent increase in proportion of nurse ratings of improved quality of nursing care on unit, 58 percent less likely when nurses are satisfied, and 51 percent less likely when nurses work full-time.