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The Impact of Heavy Perceived Nurse Workloads on Patient and Nurse Outcomes

Author

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  • Maura MacPhee

    (School of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaVancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • V. Susan Dahinten

    (School of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaVancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Farinaz Havaei

    (School of Nursing, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaVancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between seven workload factors and patient and nurse outcomes. (1) Background: Health systems researchers are beginning to address nurses’ workload demands at different unit, job and task levels; and the types of administrative interventions needed for specific workload demands. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional correlational study of 472 acute care nurses from British Columbia, Canada. The workload factors included nurse reports of unit-level RN staffing levels and patient acuity and patient dependency; job-level nurse perceptions of heavy workloads, nursing tasks left undone and compromised standards; and task-level interruptions to work flow. Patient outcomes were nurse-reported frequencies of medication errors, patient falls and urinary tract infections; and nurse outcomes were emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction. (3) Results: Job-level perceptions of heavy workloads and task-level interruptions had significant direct effects on patient and nurse outcomes. Tasks left undone mediated the relationships between heavy workloads and nurse and patient outcomes; and between interruptions and nurse and patient outcomes. Compromised professional nursing standards mediated the relationships between heavy workloads and nurse outcomes; and between interruptions and nurse outcomes. (4) Conclusion: Administrators should work collaboratively with nurses to identify work environment strategies that ameliorate workload demands at different levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Maura MacPhee & V. Susan Dahinten & Farinaz Havaei, 2017. "The Impact of Heavy Perceived Nurse Workloads on Patient and Nurse Outcomes," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:7:y:2017:i:1:p:7-:d:92212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Ann E. M. Liljas & Natasja K. Jensen & Jutta Pulkki & Janne Agerholm, 2023. "Nurses’ Roles, Responsibilities and Actions in the Hospital Discharge Process of Older Adults with Health and Social Care Needs in Three Nordic Cities: A Vignette Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-14, September.
    3. I Seul Ryu & JaeLan Shim, 2021. "The Influence of Burnout on Patient Safety Management Activities of Shift Nurses: The Mediating Effect of Compassion Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-12, November.
    4. María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes & María del Mar Molero Jurado & África Martos Martínez & José Jesús Gázquez Linares, 2019. "Analysis of the Risk and Protective Roles of Work-Related and Individual Variables in Burnout Syndrome in Nurses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-17, October.
    5. Chieh-Liang Wu & Chia-Hua Liou & Shih-An Liu & Cheng-Hsu Chen & Wayne H-H Sheu & I-Ju Chou & Shang-Feng Tsai, 2020. "Quality Improvement Initiatives in Reforming Patient Support Groups—Three-Year Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.
    6. Farinaz Havaei & Maura MacPhee & Andy Ma & Vivien W. Wong & Cecilia Li & Irene Cheung & Lina Scigliano & Amera Taylor, 2022. "Implementation of the Synergy Tool: A Potential Intervention to Relieve Health Care Worker Burnout," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.

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