- A survey of 150 Massachusetts doctors found that the biggest problem affecting patient care quality was nursing staff shortages and high nurse-to-patient ratios, cited by 29% of doctors.
- Over 3/4 of doctors believe RN staffing levels in MA hospitals are too low, with 77% saying levels are a little or much too low.
- The majority (53% strongly agree, 29% somewhat agree) of doctors agree that patient care quality is suffering due to insufficient RN staffing levels that force patients to share nurses.
- Doctors report being aware of instances where low RN staffing has led to issues like medication delays, lack of patient support, medical errors, and increased mortality.
2. RN Staffing Levels Is Most Frequently
Mentioned Problem
In your opinion, what is the single biggest problem in Massachusetts' hospitals that
directly affects the quality of patient care?
Nursing staff shortages/RN-to-patient ratios 29%
Overcrowding/Lack of beds 23
Lack of quality/trained staff 14
Financial issues/Lack of funding 12
Government/HMO regulations 11
Uninsured patients 11
Poor communication (Hospitals/PCPs/ERs) 8
Reimbursement issues 7
Overworked doctors 5
Malpractice concerns 5
Other/Not sure 2
3. Much too high
1%
About right
17%
A little too low
56%
A little too high
5%
Much too low
21%
Over 3/4ths
of Doctors Think RN Staffing Levels
Are Too Low
Thinking about the staffing levels of registered nurses in Massachusetts hospitals,
on average, would you say that RN staffing levels at most hospitals are too high, too
low, or about right?
4. Not sure
1%
Somewhat
disagree
14%
Somewhat agree
29%
Strongly disagree
3%
Strongly agree
53%
Strong Agreement that Quality is Suffering
Some people say that the quality of patient care in Massachusetts hospitals is suffering because there are
not enough registered nurses working in the hospitals and patients have to share their nurse with too
many other patients. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
5. Doctors See Wide Range of Problems
Resulting From Low RN Staffing
Are you aware of any instances in MA where an RN's patient load has led to that
outcome.
19%
29%
37%
43%
54%
61%
82%
84%Patients having to wait long periods of
time for medication and procedures
Nurses not having enough time to
comfort/assist patients and families
Medical errors, such as improper
medication or dosages
Complications or other problems for a
patient
Longer hospital stays for patients
Injury or harm to patients
Readmission of a patient
Mortality for patients
% Yes
6. Nearly 3/4ths
Favor Minimum Ratios
The MA legislature is considering a bill that would require hospitals to adequately
staff acute care facilities and limit the number of patients RNs could care for at one
time by setting minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios. These ratios would vary
by unit—in an ICU the ratio would be 1 nurse to 2 patients; in Medical/Surgery units
the ratio would be 1-to-4. Would you favor or oppose the legislature passing such a
bill?
Not sure
4%
Somewhat oppose
10%
Somewhat favor
31%
Strongly oppose
12%
Strongly favor
43%
7. Nearly 3/4ths Think Minimum Ratios Would
Improve Care of Their Patients
Not sure
6%
No
22%
Yes
72%
Do you think establishing a minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratio would
improve the care of the patients you see?
8. Most Doctors Think Ratios Would Improve
Quality of Healthcare in Massachusetts
Worse
11%
Same
23%
Not sure
6%
Better
60%
If this proposed law passes, do you think the quality of healthcare in MA will get
better, worse, or stay they same as it is now?
9. Majority Believe Ratios Could Reduce
Healthcare Costs
Not believable
39%
Believable
61%
Regulating minimum nurse staffing levels in hospitals will actually reduce
healthcare costs. There will be less turnover among nurses, which will save money
on training costs & hiring temporary nurses. Also, since patients will receive better
care, there will be fewer complications and they will not need to stay in the hospital
for as long, saving money this way, too. Is this argument believable?
10. Majority Believe Ratios Could Reduce
Healthcare Costs
Not believable
39%
Believable
61%
Regulating minimum nurse staffing levels in hospitals will actually reduce
healthcare costs. There will be less turnover among nurses, which will save money
on training costs & hiring temporary nurses. Also, since patients will receive better
care, there will be fewer complications and they will not need to stay in the hospital
for as long, saving money this way, too. Is this argument believable?