Do Higher Hospital-wide Nurse Staffing Levels Reduce In-hospital Mortality in Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures: A Pilot Study

• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-011-1917-8
• Publication Date: 2011-05-17T15:14:48Z
• Authors: Peter Schilling; James A. Goulet; Paul J. Dougherty
• Keywords: Staffing; Hip Fracture; Odds

There is increasing recognition that lower nurse staffing levels are associated with higher morbidity and mortality among medical surgical patients. The degree to which this applies elderly patients hip fractures unclear.We conducted a pilot study using administrative data as an initial step in investigating the relationship between in-hospital fractures.We retrospectively reviewed for 13,343 65 years or older primary diagnosis of fracture admitted 39 Michigan hospitals 2003 2006. We used logistic regression calculate change predicted probability death conferred by differences hospitals' overall number full-time equivalent registered nursing staff (FTE-RN) per patient day. Regression models controlled age, gender, comorbid conditions; hospital characteristics including teaching status, volume, income/racial composition hospital's zip code; seasonal influenza.We found association hospital-wide fractures. odds decreased 0.16 every additional FTE-RN added day, even after controlling covariates. This suggests absolute risk increases 0.35 percentage points one unit decrease 16% increase death.Decreased increased These observations indicate need further studies characterize units caring fractures.Level III, prognostic study. See Guidelines Authors complete description evidence.