Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs January 2018 PMID 28718658

The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Andrea Driscoll, Maria J Grant, Diane Carroll, Sally Dalton, Christi Deaton, Ian Jones, Daniela Lehwaldt, Gabrielle McKee, Theresa Munyombwe, Felicity Astin

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Mentions

35
Peak: 5 in Dec 2022
across 4 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

164,371
potential audience

Total likes

52

Video views

23

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter22 posts
  • News9 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a high level of agreement and interest, with many posts citing the research as evidence that adequate staffing improves patient safety and reduces mortality, using phrases like 'key issue' and 'game changer.' The tone is authoritative and urgent, illustrating the research’s influence on policy debates and professional practices, which signifies its substantial impact.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the findings, emphasizing that higher nurse-to-patient ratios lead to better patient outcomes.

InterestHigh interest

The topic clearly captures interest, with many posts highlighting its importance for patient safety and staff well-being.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts demonstrate deep engagement by referencing specific outcomes, studies, and advocating for policy changes.

ImpactHigh impact

Overall, there is a perception that the research has significant impact on healthcare practices and policies, influencing ongoing debates and reforms.

Abstract in brief

  • This systematic review and meta-analysis examined how nurse staffing levels affect patient outcomes in acute specialist units, finding that higher nurse staffing is associated with better outcomes such as reduced mortality, medication errors, ulcers, and infections.
  • The study analyzed 35 articles from 2006 to 2017, including over 175,000 patients, and showed that increased nurse-to-patient ratios decrease the risk of in-hospital death, especially in ICU and cardiothoracic units, although results varied widely across studies.
  • The research highlights the need for more studies to better understand the optimal nurse staffing ratios, which will help improve patient care quality by establishing clearer staffing guidelines.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
DeakinQPS
@DeakinQPS · X

Hearty Congratulations to Professor Andrea Driscoll and co-authors! They have been awarded the 'Top downloaded paper in 2018 for European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing’ @DeakinQPS @IHT_Deakin https://t.co/XI03ie4itI https://t.co/7sEOuCOf72

Oct 31, 2019 · 21 likes · 4 shares · 552 followers View post →
Taylor Andreas
@tayandreas19 · X

Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing levels were correlated to decreased medication errors, pressure ulcers, infections like pneumonia, and overall lower mortality. https://t.co/taVCHIUJx1.

Dec 8, 2022 · 16 likes · 7 shares · 13 followers View post →
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
@EditorEJCN · X

This paper has been cited and downloaded a lot and it reflects on the issue that provide good patient care we really need enougth staff. A very relevant aspect in current care. https://t.co/4VH856Wv0e

Mar 22, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 3,020 followers View post →
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
@EditorEJCN · X

This is a meta-analysis on the relationship between staffing and patient outcomes. Nursing staffing is suboptimal in many countries. Studies like this contribute to the mounting evidence of the detrimental effects of having too little nurses on staff. https://t.co/4VH856Wv0e

Mar 29, 2022 · 3 likes · 3,020 followers View post →
John Greenwood
@JohnGreenwoodMD · X

@emeddoc @srrezaie @EMManchester Highly debated topic: “mandated nurse:pt ratios in the ICU” but good signal from data that lower #Nursing : patient ratio is probably one of the most impactful staffing interventions for ICU pt outcomes https://t.co/EP87pa7uVm

Aug 1, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,467 followers View post →
Paul Ross
@ICUnurses · X

#AEM2023 ICU Workforce Stream: Driscoll et al. (2018). The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review and meta-analysis. @ACCCNAUST @IntensiveDave @Matcritcare @12Topple @jasonwatto https://t.co/IZlZSemVfj

Oct 18, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,848 followers View post →

All mentions

Paul Ross
@ICUnurses · X

#AEM2023 ICU Workforce Stream: Driscoll et al. (2018). The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review and meta-analysis. @ACCCNAUST @IntensiveDave @Matcritcare @12Topple @jasonwatto https://t.co/IZlZSemVfj

Oct 18, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,848 followers View post →
jyeh29
@jyeh29 · X

RT @tayandreas19: Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing…

Dec 8, 2022 · 7 shares · 1,199 followers View post →
Robert Cotto Jr.
@RobertCottoJr · X

RT @tayandreas19: Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing…

Dec 8, 2022 · 7 shares · 2,358 followers View post →
Maria
@mariahirt · X

RT @tayandreas19: Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing…

Dec 8, 2022 · 7 shares · 2,684 followers View post →
Lene
@ArleneRyndak · X

RT @tayandreas19: Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing…

Dec 8, 2022 · 7 shares · 453 followers View post →
Taylor Andreas
@tayandreas19 · X

Aside from a positive financial impact, safe staffing impacts patient outcomes. A recent study found that higher staffing levels were correlated to decreased medication errors, pressure ulcers, infections like pneumonia, and overall lower mortality. https://t.co/taVCHIUJx1.

Dec 8, 2022 · 16 likes · 7 shares · 13 followers View post →
Annie Gravley
@AnnieGravley · X

@Jisoo_Bae96 @DrTomori @LFrancisRN @HollyWSims @sophiekasimow This is absolutely a key issue. Safe staffing ratios improve patient outcomes, save institutions money, and lower the risk of burnout for staff. #JHSONPolicyF22 https://t.co/QIae2p7T6h

Sep 28, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 14 followers View post →
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
@EditorEJCN · X

This is a meta-analysis on the relationship between staffing and patient outcomes. Nursing staffing is suboptimal in many countries. Studies like this contribute to the mounting evidence of the detrimental effects of having too little nurses on staff. https://t.co/4VH856Wv0e

Mar 29, 2022 · 3 likes · 3,020 followers View post →
European Society of Cardiology Journals
@ESC_Journals · X

RT @EditorEJCN: This paper has been cited and downloaded a lot and it reflects on the issue that provide good patient care we really need e…

Mar 22, 2022 · 1 share · 116,333 followers View post →
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
@EditorEJCN · X

This paper has been cited and downloaded a lot and it reflects on the issue that provide good patient care we really need enougth staff. A very relevant aspect in current care. https://t.co/4VH856Wv0e

Mar 22, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 3,020 followers View post →
TomPark
@TomPark7470 · X

@DrTomori @JHUNursing @SafiyyahOkoye Driscole, 2018: https://t.co/F6Lw7k7wDG Vuong, 2020: https://t.co/RrJNULV85u CDC, 2022: https://t.co/hFJHOnorcQ.

Feb 28, 2022 · 1 followers View post →
Sage Clinical Med
@SageClinMed · X

The effect of #nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive #patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://t.co/CfnlbRCo5D

Dec 5, 2019 · 3,265 followers View post →
Jonas Karlsson PhD
@Jonas_Varberg · X

RT @DeakinQPS: Hearty Congratulations to Professor Andrea Driscoll and co-authors! They have been awarded the 'Top downloaded paper in 2018…

Nov 3, 2019 · 4 shares · 27 followers View post →
Caleb Ferguson
@calebferg · X

RT @DeakinQPS: Hearty Congratulations to Professor Andrea Driscoll and co-authors! They have been awarded the 'Top downloaded paper in 2018…

Nov 1, 2019 · 4 shares · 7,414 followers View post →
Institute for Health Transformation
@IHT_Deakin · X

RT @DeakinQPS: Hearty Congratulations to Professor Andrea Driscoll and co-authors! They have been awarded the 'Top downloaded paper in 2018…

Oct 31, 2019 · 4 shares · 2,699 followers View post →
DeakinQPS
@DeakinQPS · X

Hearty Congratulations to Professor Andrea Driscoll and co-authors! They have been awarded the 'Top downloaded paper in 2018 for European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing’ @DeakinQPS @IHT_Deakin https://t.co/XI03ie4itI https://t.co/7sEOuCOf72

Oct 31, 2019 · 21 likes · 4 shares · 552 followers View post →
Peter Anderst
@NurseofDoom · X

Day 167 @jkenney @shandro did you know that nurse staffing has a direct effect on the mortality of patients? Crazy, right? Read this: https://t.co/zjgo18NtSQ and this: https://t.co/4Tf3EZcb12 https://t.co/MzPsKkC1my

Aug 24, 2019 · 877 followers View post →
Syed Shahrul Naz
@drshahrul80 · X

RT @JohnGreenwoodMD: @emeddoc @srrezaie @EMManchester Highly debated topic: “mandated nurse:pt ratios in the ICU” but good signal from data…

Aug 1, 2019 · 1 share · 6,931 followers View post →
John Greenwood
@JohnGreenwoodMD · X

@emeddoc @srrezaie @EMManchester Highly debated topic: “mandated nurse:pt ratios in the ICU” but good signal from data that lower #Nursing : patient ratio is probably one of the most impactful staffing interventions for ICU pt outcomes https://t.co/EP87pa7uVm

Aug 1, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,467 followers View post →
Katie Carey RN
@DoNoHarmKatie · X

RT @PatrickRCNS: The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review a…

Mar 21, 2019 · 2 shares · 173 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @PatrickRCNS: The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review a…

Mar 21, 2019 · 2 shares · 6,701 followers View post →
Patrick R.
@PatrickRCNS · X

The effect of nurse-to-patient ratios on nurse-sensitive patient outcomes in acute specialist units: a systematic review and meta-analysis. - PubMed - NCBI Driscoll et al 2017 Concludes higher nurse patient ratio improves mortality, outcomes https://t.co/fBEf63Lxed

Mar 21, 2019 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 176 followers View post →