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. 2003 Dec;38(6 Pt 1):1487–1508. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2003.00189.x

Table 3.

Regression of Length of Stay and Patient Complications on Nurse Staffing Variables, Medical Patients in 11-State All-Patient, 11-State Medicare Only, and National MedPAR Samples

11-State All Patient 11-State Medicare Only National MedPAR

Coefficient SE Coefficient SE Coefficient SE

Length of Stay
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours −1.410 0.435** −2.176 0.585** −0.818 0.248** b
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day −0.094 0.019** −0.141 0.024** −0.054 0.010** bb
 Number of Observations 797 797 3,354
IRR IRR IRR
Urinary Tract Infection
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.489 0.060** 0.537 0.065** 0.759 0.047** aa b
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.998 0.004 1.000 0.004 0.996 0.002*
 Number of Observations 799 799 3,356
Pressure Ulcer
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.765 0.157 0.706 0.158 0.892 0.099
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.997 0.008 0.991 0.008 0.994 0.003
 Number of Observations 799 799 3,314
Pneumonia
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.606 0.093** 0.586 0.100** 0.833 0.067*
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.999 0.006 1.001 0.007 0.999 0.003
 Number of Observations 799 799 3,355
Shock/Cardiac Arrest
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.486 0.143* 0.403 0.114** 0.663 0.093**
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.996 0.012 0.995 0.011 1.001 0.004
 Number of Observations 798 798 3,355
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.658 0.126* 0.684 0.134 0.957 0.096
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.988 0.007 0.985 0.007* 0.994 0.003
 Number of Observations 798 798 3,357
Sepsis
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 1.394 0.279 1.105 0.233 1.237 0.137
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 0.993 0.007 0.989 0.008 0.994 0.003
 Number of Observations 799 799 3,351
Failure to Rescue
 RN Hours/LICENSED Hours 0.802 0.084* 0.811 0.089 0.900 0.052
 LICENSED Hours per Patient Day 1.003 0.004 1.003 0.005 1.001 0.002
 Number of Observations 799 791 3,336

OLS regression coefficients for length of stay and incidence risk ratios (IRRs) for other adverse outcomes, adjusted for expected length of stay or number of expected events, hospital teaching status, metropolitan location, and state. Huber/White/sandwich estimator used to calculate standard errors.

Probability (coefficient=0)

*

p<.05

**

p<.01

***

p<.001

Probability (coefficient=coefficient in 11-state all-patient regression): a: p<.05, aa: p<.01

Probability (coefficient=coefficient in 11-state Medicare regression): b: p<.05, bb: p<.01