The Nurse Staffing and Human Capital on Patient Outcomes for VA Inpatient Care The Impact of Nurse Staffing and Human Capital on Patient Outcomes for VA Inpatient Care Ciaran S. Phibbs, Ph.D. June 8, 2008

Health Economics Resource Center Research Team Investigators Ann Bartel, Columbia University Patricia Stone, Columbia University Nancy Beaulieu, Harvard University Programmers and Research Assistants Lakshmi Ananath, HERC Cecilia Machado, Columbia University Susan Schmitt, HERC Andrea Shane, HERC

Health Economics Resource Center Background Prior research has found evidence showing negative correlation between adverse patient outcomes and nurse staffing levels, but this literature is limited by either using highly aggregated data and/or small samples.

Health Economics Resource Center What Our Paper Contributes Longitudinal unit-level data from a large sample. Studies role played by human capital and relational capital in the nursing workforce Uses data from hospitals belonging to the same organization (VA), which reduces the variation due to organizational differences.

Health Economics Resource Center Hypotheses We Test 1. Better nurse staffing is associated with better patient outcomes. 2.Higher percentages of non-RN staff and of contract nurses are associated with worse patient outcomes. 3.The characteristics (human capital) of the nursing staff (education, experience, tenure on unit, turnover, etc.) affect patient outcomes.

Health Economics Resource Center What Are Nursing-Sensitive Patient Outcomes? National Quality Forum (NQF) identified voluntary consensus standards for nursing-sensitive care:  Infections  Failure to rescue  Decubitus ulcer (only for patients with LOS>=5 days)  Post-operative PE and DVT

Health Economics Resource Center Nurse Staffing Nurse Staffing DSS, VA’s comprehensive hospital activity based accounting system. DSS, VA’s comprehensive hospital activity based accounting system. Monthly data on inpatient nurse staffing for each unit, by type (RN, LVN, aide) tracked at the unit level. Adjusts paid vs. worked hours, and tracks use of contract nurses. Monthly data on inpatient nurse staffing for each unit, by type (RN, LVN, aide) tracked at the unit level. Adjusts paid vs. worked hours, and tracks use of contract nurses.

Health Economics Resource Center Human Capital Human Capital We extracted human capital and other nursing characteristics from the VA payroll data (PAID). Including: We extracted human capital and other nursing characteristics from the VA payroll data (PAID). Including: – VA tenure –Unit tenure –Education –Age

Health Economics Resource Center Discharge Data AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators calculated from PTF Bedsection file. Can link to physical units (more later).  Selected Infections Due to Medical Care (assigned to first unit where diagnosis reported)  Failure to Rescue  Post operative PE or DVT  Decubitus ulcer

Health Economics Resource Center Empirical Model PSI it = α 1 (Nurse Hrs PPD) it + α 2 (Nurse Hrs PPD 2 ) it + α 3 % non-RN it + α 4 % contract it + α 5 Tenure it + α 5 DRG it + α 6 AGE it + α 7 LOS it + α 8 Discharge Quartiles it + Month + λ i + ε it Weighted by number of patients λ i Hospital*unit fixed effects

Health Economics Resource Center Summary of Preliminary Results Acute Units Only In general, estimates have expected signs, but most are not statistically significant. Nurse staffing not statistically significant. Increased use of LVNs/Aides is positively associated with FTR and pressure ulcers. Increased use of contract nurses is positively associated with FTR and pressure ulcers Longer unit tenure is associated with lower infection rates.

Health Economics Resource Center Parameter Estimates for Acute Care PSI 3 P Ulcer PSI 4 FTR PSI 7 Infections HPBD % LVN/Aide 0.01 ** 0.05 ** % Contract 0.01 * 0.05 * Ave. RN tenure *