Key result
Each additional patient in a nurse's workload was associated with higher odds of 30-day mortality overall (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05), with a significantly greater effect in black adults (OR 1.10).
Why the study?
Does higher nurse workload increase 30-day mortality and failure to rescue in older surgical patients, and does this effect differ by race?
Cross-Sectional (n=548,397)
Yes
Does higher nurse workload increase 30-day mortality and failure to rescue in older surgical patients, and does this effect differ by race?
Odds Ratio: 1.03 (95% CI 1.01–1.05)
Higher nurse workloads are associated with increased 30-day mortality and failure to rescue in older surgical patients, with a disproportionately negative impact on black adults.
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Higher nurse workloads may worsen outcomes in older Black surgical patients; leaves open whether staffing interventions reduce disparities.
Carthon et al. (2012) conducted a cross-sectional in General, orthopedic, or vascular surgery (n=548,397). Higher nurse workload (one additional patient per nurse) vs. Lower nurse workload was evaluated on 30-day mortality (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05). Each additional patient in a nurse's workload was associated with higher odds of 30-day mortality overall (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05), with a significantly greater effect in black adults (OR 1.10).
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