Applied Nursing Research
Volume 18, Issue 3 , Pages 130-137, August 2005

Nurse staffing levels and quality of care in Northeastern Pennsylvania nursing homes

  • Fevzi Akinci, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Health Policy and Administration, Washington State University, P.O. Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210-1495, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 509 358 7985; fax: +1 509 358 7984.
    • ,
  • Diane Krolikowski, BSN, MS, RN, NHA, CHE

      Affiliations

    • CHS Berwick Hospital Center, Berwick, PA 18603, USA
    • Tel.: +570 759 5464; fax: +570 759 3473.

Received 10 March 2004; received in revised form 17 July 2004; accepted 26 August 2004.

Abstract 

This study evaluated current nurse staffing levels in 90 licensed nursing homes in Northeastern Pennsylvania to determine whether they are significantly different from state and national averages. It further examined the association between nurse staffing and quality of patient care provided to nursing home residents. Findings indicate that although nurse staffing levels appear to be comparable with state and national averages, quality of care might be negatively affected when nurse staffing levels are reduced. Practical recommendations for solutions to the current nurse recruitment and retention crises are presented to ensure adequate nurse staffing and quality of care to elderly citizens.

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PII: S0897-1897(05)00032-7

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2004.08.004

Applied Nursing Research
Volume 18, Issue 3 , Pages 130-137, August 2005

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