The Effects of Long-term Care Hospitals’ Nurse Staffing Level on Patient Outcomes: Differences according to Region
10.11111/jkana.2020.26.4.354
- Author:
Kyung Jin HONG
1
Author Information
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Semyung University
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
2020;26(4):354-364
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:0
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The aim of this study was to examine the differences in nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in long-term care hospitals by region and to identity the effects of nurse staffing level and registered nurse proportion on patient outcomes.
Methods:A secondary analysis of national data that included general characteristics of hospitals and long-term care hospitals’ evaluation results from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services was conducted, and 1,205 hospitals were selected.
Results:Results showed that the mean number of patients per nursing staff and registered nurse proportion were 4.27 and 0.43, respectively. The differences in long-term care hospitals’ evaluation results and nurse staffing levels according to region were significant. A logistic regression analysis showed that the number of patients per nursing staff affected the probability of the patient experiencing a decline in daily life activities, as well as a decline in the outcomes of patients who were non-dementia; registered nurse proportion affected the outcomes of patients with dementia.
Conclusion:The findings suggest that implementing policies to improve long-term care hospitals’ nurse staffing level and registered nurse proportion is important. Ensuring mandatory registered nurse staffing levels based on the severity of patients’ diagnoses is also necessary.
