A Comparison of In-hospital Mortality Risk Conferred by High Hospital Occupancy, Differences in Nurse Staffing Levels, Weekend Admission, and Seasonal Influenza
Medical CarePublished 19 February 2010
Peter L. Schilling, Darrell A. Campbell, Michael J. Englesbe, Matthew M. Davis
Citations119
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.57
SNIP1.38
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TL;DR
Hospital occupancy, nurse staffing levels, weekend admission, and seasonal influenza all appear to be independently associated with in-hospital mortality, but to varying degrees in the current sample.
Abstract
Hospital occupancy, nurse staffing levels, weekend admission, and seasonal influenza all appear to be independently associated with in-hospital mortality, but to varying degrees in the current sample. These findings may guide hospital administrators as they consider factors that influence weekly and seasonal patient flow and capacity, as well as staffing.
Keywords
MedicineHealth Professions
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