By Glenda Fauntleroy, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service
http://www.hbns.org

If hospitals added one more full-time registered nurse on staff to care for patients, the number of hospital-related deaths in the United States could decrease significantly, according to a new review. However, cost concerns and a worsening nursing shortage might make this an unlikely scenario. – Nursing Jobs

When, asked how hospital administrators can be better made aware of these possible rates of improved patient outcomes, lead review author Robert Kane, M.D., said, “The issue is not making them aware of the possibility, it’s convincing them that it is in their best interests to act on it. From a business perspective, the savings in reduced lengths of stay would not offset the costs of the added staffing. The case would have to be made in terms of image and liability.” – Nursing Jobs

{read more}