Transcript Document

Massachusetts Nurses Association
A Statewide Survey of
150 Doctors
March 2005
RN Staffing Levels Is Most Frequently
Mentioned Problem
In your opinion, what is the single biggest problem in Massachusetts' hospitals that
directly affects the quality of patient care?
Nursing staff shortages/RN-to-patient ratios
29%
Overcrowding/Lack of beds
23
Lack of quality/trained staff
14
Financial issues/Lack of funding
12
Government/HMO regulations
11
Uninsured patients
11
Poor communication (Hospitals/PCPs/ERs)
8
Reimbursement issues
7
Overworked doctors
5
Malpractice concerns
5
Other/Not sure
2
Over 3/4ths of Doctors Think RN Staffing Levels
Are Too Low
Thinking about the staffing levels of registered nurses in Massachusetts hospitals, on
average, would you say that RN staffing levels at most hospitals are too high, too
low, or about right?
A little too low
56%
Much too low
21%
Much too high
1%
About right
17%
A little too high
5%
Strong Agreement that Quality is Suffering
Some people say that the quality of patient care in Massachusetts hospitals is suffering because there are
not enough registered nurses working in the hospitals and patients have to share their nurse with too
many other patients. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Strongly agree
53%
Somewhat agree
29%
Somewhat
disagree
Not sure Strongly disagree 14%
1%
3%
Doctors See Wide Range of Problems
Resulting From Low RN Staffing
Are you aware of any instances in MA where an RN's patient load has led to that
outcome.
% Yes
84%
Patients having to wait long periods of
time for medication and procedures
Nurses not having enough time to
comfort/assist patients and families
82%
Medical errors, such as improper
medication or dosages
61%
54%
Complications or other problems for a
patient
43%
Longer hospital stays for patients
37%
Injury or harm to patients
29%
Readmission of a patient
Mortality for patients
19%
Nearly 3/4ths Favor Minimum Ratios
The MA legislature is considering a bill that would require hospitals to adequately
staff acute care facilities and limit the number of patients RNs could care for at one
time by setting minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios. These ratios would vary
by unit—in an ICU the ratio would be 1 nurse to 2 patients; in Medical/Surgery units
the ratio would be 1-to-4. Would you favor or oppose the legislature passing such a
bill?
Somewhat favor
31%
Strongly favor
43%
Somewhat oppose
10%
Not sure
4%
Strongly oppose
12%
Nearly 3/4ths Think Minimum Ratios Would
Improve Care of Their Patients
Do you think establishing a minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratio would
improve the care of the patients you see?
No
22%
Yes
72%
Not sure
6%
Most Doctors Think Ratios Would Improve
Quality of Healthcare in Massachusetts
If this proposed law passes, do you think the quality of healthcare in MA will get
better, worse, or stay they same as it is now?
Better
60%
Same
23%
Not sure
6%
Worse
11%
Majority Believe Ratios Could Reduce
Healthcare Costs
Regulating minimum nurse staffing levels in hospitals will actually reduce
healthcare costs. There will be less turnover among nurses, which will save money
on training costs & hiring temporary nurses. Also, since patients will receive better
care, there will be fewer complications and they will not need to stay in the hospital
for as long, saving money this way, too. Is this argument believable?
Believable
61%
Not believable
39%