Higher levels of education for nurses linked to fewer patient deaths

Fewer patients faced post-surgical complications or death following common surgeries when cared for by more nurses with four-year degrees, according to a new study in Health Affairs. For every 10 percentage-point increase in nurses holding a baccalaureate degree in nursing, researchers found an average reduction of 2.12 deaths per 1,000 hospital patients, and an average reduction of 7.47 deaths per 1,000 patients experiencing post-surgical complications. Researchers estimate that if the 134 hospitals in their study had increased the percentage of nurses with four-year degrees by 10 points, they may have prevented approximately 500 deaths.

In 2008, a national survey revealed that less than half of all nurses had a bachelor’s degree. A recent report from the Institute of Medicine calls for 80% of registered nurses to hold at least a baccalaureate degree by 2020.

Source: Fierce Healthcare