RESEARCH CRITIQUES AND PICOT FINAL STATEMENT FINAL DRAFT 2 Research Critiques and PICOT Statement Final Draft The issue of the effect of nurse staffing ratios on patients' outcomes has led to the exploration of the effects of higher nurse ratios to lower nurse ration on quality of patient care. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, evidence provided through data collection provided rationales to support higher nursing ratios with increased quality of care and better patient outcomes. Qualitative research uses a humane and idealistic approach to understand the data collected by researchers. Quantitative research is a research method that collects data in numbers that can be arranged in graphs and charts, ranked in order, or put into categories. With the tools used form both quantitative and qualitative research staffing issues related to quality of patient care were explored. Patient safety is a fundamental component of quality care in the health care field. When patient safety is compromised, the quality of care the patient receives subsequently suffer. Quality patient care consists of safe, effective, timely, and patient centered care. To ensure patient safety constant patient surveillance for early detection of adverse events and prevention of adverse events. Low staffing ratios of units has made it difficult for nurses to properly complete their duties and work was left undone. Work left undone refers to nursing care that is delayed or incomplete and is an internationally recognized concern that negatively impacts and threatens quality and safety of patient care. (Li, Browman, & Smith, 2016) Data from a cross sectional survey was used to establish a connection between low nurse staffing ratios to poor quality of care and patient outcomes. Data form 65 hospitals were collected using a stratified random sampling method. A questionnaire distributed to the units consisted of questions related to staffing levels, overtime, and reported care left undone. There
