Nurse Staffing and Veteran Outcomes in the Veterans Health Administration's Community Living Centers

J Nurs Care Qual. 2023 Oct-Dec;38(4):297-303. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000700. Epub 2023 Feb 24.

Abstract

Background: The demand for nursing care is rising in the long-term care setting. Nurse staffing is a crucial measure linked to health care quality measure outcomes.

Purpose: To assess for associations between nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) and outcome measures in the Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers.

Methods: A retrospective data review of NHPPD and quality measures for 134 community living centers was conducted. Linear regression was used to assess for linear associations between average total NHPPD and 6 quality measures.

Results: A significant linear association was found between average total NHPPD and falls with major injury ( P = .02) and help with activities of daily living ( P = .01). No associations were found between nurse staffing and 4 other quality measures.

Conclusions: This study adds to the body of literature regarding the impact of nurse staffing on quality measures.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Humans
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital*
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Veterans Health
  • Veterans*
  • Workforce