HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tourangeau, A E Articles by Jeffs, L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tourangeau, A E Articles by Jeffs, L

Impact of nursing on hospital patient mortality: a focused review and related policy implications

¹ Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
² Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
³ Department of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence to:
DrA E Tourangeau
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 215-155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1P8; ann.tourangeau{at}utoronto.ca
ABSTRACT
Understanding the determinants of patient mortality can lead to the development of strategies that reduce mortality and prevent unnecessary death. This paper synthesizes the body of published research that explores determinants of mortality for patients who have experienced acute care hospitalization. Fifteen research manuscripts were found to meet the selection criteria through an electronic search in MEDLINE and CINAHL (1986–2004). Seven categories of determinants of mortality were found: nurse-physician relationships, nurse staffing characteristics, physician characteristics, professional practice environment, nurse experience, registered nurse educational preparation, and clinical nursing support. Implications and recommendations for improving quality and safety in hospital care are discussed.

Keywords: mortality; patient safety; policy; nurse staffing

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Burnes Bolton, C. E. Aydin, N. Donaldson, D. Storer Brown, M. Sandhu, M. Fridman, and H. Udin Aronow Mandated Nurse Staffing Ratios in California: A Comparison of Staffing and Nursing-Sensitive Outcomes Pre- and Postregulation Policy Politics Nursing Practice, November 1, 2007; 8(4): 238 - 250. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Maiocco "Packaging" information about patient deterioration in terms of vital signs and the Early Warning Score facilitated nurses' communication with doctors Evid. Based Nurs., October 1, 2006; 9(4): 128 - 128. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S P Clarke and L H Aiken More nursing, fewer deaths Qual. Saf. Health Care, February 1, 2006; 15(1): 2 - 3. [Full Text] [PDF]