While the relationship between nursing and quality patient care is quietly accepted, good analysis of variation is lacking. The reasons for this are varied. Much of nursing's work is preventative - an area historically difficult to quantify. Lastly, poor data is available about the utilization and composition of the nursing workforce. Good studies are needed to affirm and further the relationship between nursing and patient outcomes.
Some work already exists.
Other work is underway on outcome indicators suspected to have a link with nursing practice, such as nosocomial infections, decubitus ulcers, medication errors and patient satisfaction. In Vermont, much of the information required to examine those relationships is not known to hospitals. More than half of the hospitals in Vermont have limited knowledge about the educational composition of their RN staff. The same situation exists in Vermont nursing homes. Only in home care, is there significant knowledge of skill mix against which patient outcomes can be compared.