LAUSR

BACKGROUND The demand for nursing care is rising in the long-term care setting. Nurse staffing is a crucial measure linked to health care quality measure outcomes. PURPOSE To assess for associations between nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) and outcome measures in the Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers. METHODS A retrospective data review of NHPPD and quality measures for 134 community living centers was conducted. Linear regression was used to assess for linear associations between average total NHPPD and 6 quality measures. RESULTS A significant linear association was found between average total NHPPD and falls with major injury (P = .02) and help with activities of daily living (P = .01). No associations were found between nurse staffing and 4 other quality measures. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the body of literature regarding the impact of nurse staffing on quality measures.