Discontinuity of nursing care negatively impacts patient outcomes

Editor's Note

In this study, discontinuity in nursing care was high and negatively impacted patient outcomes.

The analysis of 3,892 medical-surgical inpatients found that discontinuity of nursing care declined from nearly 100% in the first 24 hours, to 70% at 36 hours, and to 50% by the 10^th postadmission day.

Each instance of discontinuity lead to a 0.12-0.23 point decline in the patient’s clinical condition (Rothman index) score, with more pronounced effects for older and high-mortality risk patients.

Improved continuity of nursing care assignments should be advocated to improve patient outcomes, the authors say.

Background: Continuity of nursing care in hospitals remains poor and not prioritized, and we do not know whether discontinuous nursing care is negatively impacting patient outcomes. Objectives: This study aims to examine nursing care discontinuity and its effect on patient clinical condition ove...