Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Relationship Between Number of Assigned Patients and RN Time to Administer Medications During the Peak-Time
Chase S Eck1,2,3, Melissa K Knox1,2,3, Paras D Mehta4
1Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX.
Background:
Inpatient nurse staffing affects patient outcomes. Less is known about the mechanism of this relationship and how lower overall staffing in a unit affects individual RN activities at the bedside.
Objectives:
Estimate the relationship between the number of patients assigned to an RN and time spent on medication administration at the peak-time medication pass (PTM), a common nursing task.
Research Design:
Estimate the association using multivariable linear regression to adjust for patient severity and staff and unit fixed effects.
Subjects:
All 9272 RNs administering medications during the PTM on 243 inpatient units in 113 VHA hospitals in 2019.
Measures:
Number of assigned patients to an RN at PTM; PTM duration.
Results:
After adjusting for staff and unit fixed effects and average patient severity of illness, the PTM duration for an RN assigned 3 patients is 20.67 (95% CI: 20.31, 21.03) minutes longer than when they are assigned 2 patients. The adjusted difference between 4 and 2 patients is 35.42 (95% CI: 35.01, 35.83). PTM duration per patient declines. Relative to 2 patients, RNs assigned 3 patients spend 0.78 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.93) fewer minutes per patient delivering medications during the PTM (3% reduction), and RNs assigned 4 patients spend 2.52 (95% CI: 2.37, 2.68) fewer minutes (11% reduction).
Conclusion:
Individual nurses spend more time overall delivering medications when assigned more patients. Nurses compensate for the increased patient load by only marginally reducing time spent with each patient, even after controlling for patient severity and other factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
01:21Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:17Flow Sheet
Here's a closer look at the examples of flowsheets commonly used by nurses:
Graphic Sheet Documentation:
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
01:19Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods