Summary report of literature about nurse-patient ratios

Nurse-patient ratios are being consistently proven to improve patient outcomes, in other words, reduce harm to patients during a hospital stay. Victoria has had nurse-patient ratios in work agreements since 2000, and in 2015, nurse-patient ratios passed into law (Victoria State Government, 2015). At present, nurse-patient ratios are mandated in only California and Victoria. Queensland is about to implement them in their public hospitals. While this is being seen as contentious, there is good evidence to show that appropriate nurse-patient ratios prevent harm.