An appraisal of patient-centered care approaches among nurses at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi.
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Background of the Study
Nurse staffing levels are a critical determinant of healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Research has consistently shown that the number of nurses available to care for patients directly affects the safety and quality of care provided in healthcare settings (Shanafelt et al., 2023). Adequate nurse staffing is crucial for improving patient outcomes, including reducing adverse events, decreasing mortality rates, and enhancing patient satisfaction (Aiken et al., 2024). This has led to increasing attention on the importance of sufficient nurse staffing in hospitals worldwide, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria.
The State Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, located in Yobe State, Nigeria, serves as a key healthcare provider in the northeastern region of the country. This hospital faces the challenges of providing high-quality care amidst limited healthcare resources, including understaffing. The hospital's nurses are integral to patient care and often handle large patient loads, especially in critical areas such as emergency and intensive care units. However, the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in this facility remains underexplored, particularly in the context of Nigeria's healthcare system.
Nurse staffing levels in many Nigerian hospitals have been a subject of concern, with numerous studies indicating that inadequate staffing contributes to higher patient risks, including medication errors, prolonged hospital stays, and poor health outcomes (Adeoye et al., 2023). While there is growing evidence in international literature about the importance of adequate nurse staffing in improving patient care, there is a paucity of research on how staffing levels affect patient outcomes in Nigerian hospitals, particularly in the northeastern region. This gap presents an opportunity to explore the specific relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.
This study aims to address this gap by examining how nurse staffing levels influence patient outcomes in this hospital, with a focus on identifying potential areas for improvement in staffing practices and care delivery.
Statement of the Problem
Nurse staffing levels are often inadequate in many Nigerian healthcare settings, which could adversely affect patient outcomes, including increased mortality, prolonged recovery times, and higher rates of healthcare-associated infections. In the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, like many other hospitals in the country, there is a high nurse-to-patient ratio, leading to concerns over the quality of care provided. Nurses are often overburdened with multiple responsibilities and have limited time to attend to each patient’s specific needs. While existing literature suggests that low staffing levels are associated with poor patient outcomes (Aiken et al., 2024), there is limited research on this relationship within Nigerian hospitals, especially in Damaturu.
The absence of adequate staffing levels in Nigerian healthcare institutions has resulted in suboptimal care, which could lead to worsened patient outcomes. There is a lack of empirical data to support the claim that nurse staffing levels directly correlate with patient outcomes in the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu. Without clear evidence, it becomes difficult for policymakers and healthcare administrators to advocate for improvements in nurse staffing or address the existing staffing challenges. This research, therefore, seeks to fill this gap by assessing the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes in the hospital and exploring potential strategies to improve care quality through better staffing practices.
Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the current nurse staffing levels at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.
2. To evaluate the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes, including patient safety and satisfaction, at the hospital.
3. To identify strategies that can improve nurse staffing levels and, by extension, patient outcomes in the hospital.
Research Questions
1. What are the current nurse staffing levels at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu?
2. How do nurse staffing levels affect patient outcomes, including safety and satisfaction, at the hospital?
3. What strategies can be implemented to improve nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in the hospital?
Research Hypotheses
1. There is a negative relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.
2. Adequate nurse staffing levels are associated with higher patient satisfaction and better patient safety outcomes in the hospital.
3. Improving nurse staffing levels in the hospital will significantly improve patient outcomes, including reduced mortality and faster recovery rates.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is confined to nurses and patients at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, Nigeria. It will not include other healthcare professionals or facilities in the region. The study focuses on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes, assessing both objective data (such as mortality rates and recovery times) and subjective data (such as patient satisfaction surveys). A limitation of this study is the reliance on secondary data from hospital records, which may not fully capture all the factors influencing patient outcomes. Furthermore, the study will not address the broader healthcare system issues affecting staffing levels, such as funding or government policies.
Definitions of Terms
• Nurse staffing levels: The ratio of nurses available to care for patients in a healthcare facility.
• Patient outcomes: The measurable results of healthcare interventions, including recovery rates, mortality, and patient satisfaction.
• State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu: A healthcare facility located in Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria, providing specialized care to the region’s population.
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