Business and Leadership Nursing Injury Rates and Negative Patient Outcomes: Connecting the Dots
AAOHN Journal Vol. 55   No. 11   November 2007
William Charney, DOH and Joseph Schirmer, MS
ABSTRACT The connection between nursing injury rates and patient outcomes has not been totally grasped in the health care occupational health setting. This article concludes that nursing injury rates are linked to the nursing shortage and less nursing time at the bedside, both of which have been scientifically linked to negative patient outcomes. Because nurses’ working conditions affect patients’ outcomes, more funding and changes are needed to improve these conditions. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Mr. Charney is Safety Coordinator, Washington Hospital Services, Seattle, WA. Mr. Schirmer is Epidemiologist, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Madison, WI. Dr. Strasser is President, Partners in Business Health Solutions, Inc., Toledo, OH; and Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing Program, Ann Arbor, MI.