What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the association between emergency department patient-to-nurse ratios and in-hospital mortality, as well as secondary patient, staff, and organizational outcomes.

May 19, 2026European Journal of Emergency Medicine

Association between patient-to-nurse ratios in emergency departments and patient, staff, and organizational outcomes: a systematic review

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To evaluate the association between emergency department patient-to-nurse ratios and in-hospital mortality, as well as secondary patient, staff, and organizational outcomes.
Conducted a systematic review across MEDLINE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases for studies published between 2004 and 2025.
Identified 2,214 records, selecting 17 observational studies via two independent reviewers for narrative synthesis.
In the only cohort study assessing the primary outcome (n = 73 emergency departments), an increased nurse-to-patient ratio was associated with decreased mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.94).
Higher nurse staffing was associated with lower cardiac arrest rates (relative risk = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.67 for ≥8.5 vs. <8.5 patients per nurse) and reduced medication errors in one of two studies.
Evidence showed improvements in patient experience, nurse satisfaction, and pre-treatment waiting times, but mixed effects on length of stay, administration times, and patients leaving without being seen.

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Implication

Systematic review finds reduced mortality and fewer adverse events with higher nurse staffing in emergency departments, indicating benefits of favorable patient-to-nurse ratios.

Cite This Study

A 2026 study studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7fbdc2dbb28b4b4918f2dc https://doi.org/10.1097/mej.0000000000001350

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Implication

Systematic review finds reduced mortality and fewer adverse events with higher nurse staffing in emergency departments, indicating benefits of favorable patient-to-nurse ratios.

Association between patient-to-nurse ratios in emergency departments and patient, staff, and organizational outcomes: a systematic review

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Association between patient-to-nurse ratios in emergency departments and patient, staff, and organizational outcomes: a systematic review

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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