The study reviewed 900,000 patient admissions over four years in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System. Each one-year increase in nurse tenure was linked to a 1.3 percent decrease in patient LOS. Conversely, adding new RN team members or losing experienced team members both lengthened patient stays.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
The study also found paying staff nurses to work overtime rather than hiring temporary staffing was associated with lower costs and shorter LOS.
Researchers concluded the study’s findings should inform healthcare executives of the importance of retaining nursing staff and should inform their policy-making decisions concerning nursing staff.
More Articles on Infection Control & Clinical Quality:
Medication Error Interventions Mostly Ineffective, Study Finds
Summerlin Hopsital Fined $40k for 8 Citations Related to TB Outbreak
Genome Sequencing Indicates MRSA Infection Severity
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.