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By now, most people who have had some experience with the health care system, either as a patient, caregiver or health care professional - are aware of the chronic nationwide nurse staffing shortage. For those in the health care profession, however, it may be surprising that opinions on how this shortage affects patient care can differ greatly. According to a recent study published in Health Affairs, physicians and hospital executives often do not associate the shortage of nurses with gaps in patient safety and early detection of complications. There is, however, a significant amount of early data and studies, which indicate direct links between quality of care and even patient mortality rates, as the ratio of patients-to-nurses are significantly increased without relief. The study gauged the ongoing impact of the nursing shortage showing that the shortage is negatively impacting nurse-doctor communication and nurse-patient relationships, as well as the overall quality of care. Study authors believe their data supports the need to improve medical team communication and collaboration between doctors and nurses. "We may not be able to reverse the nursing shortage completely," said Dr. Peter Buerhaus, director for the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies at Vanderbilt University and co-author of the study. "However, we can focus on building stronger team communication among patient care providers and hospital executives to ensure better patient care, even in the face of a shortage of nurses." Impact of the Nurse Shortage on Hospital Patient Care: Comparative Perspectives is published in the May/June issue of the journal Health Affairs. For more information, visit http://www.healthaffairs.org/. 
The excitement and anticipation of welcoming a newborn into the world can be a very special time for parents and families. Unfortunately, for some who experience premature deliveries or serious health complications with their newborns, this time can also become clouded by panic and anxiety over the health of their helpless, fragile child. Twenty years ago, most premature babies treated in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) had a low chance of survival and an average cost per stay in excess of $100,000 in medical bills. However, today, many parents can take comfort in knowing that neonatal nurses and doctors will provide the best possible care for such critically ill babies and survival rates for premature infants have more than quadrupled. Unfortunately, this health care specialty is also experiencing its share of challenges with a decline in the number of caregivers. As a pediatric nurse practitioner, and previously a NICU nurse, Tanya Sommers was driven from the field due to increasingly exorbitant malpractice insurance premiums. "I thoroughly enjoyed my work," said Sommers, "but with the sky-rocketing insurance premiums it became virtually impossible to stay in that specialty for me." Now, many hospitals are making strides in recruiting nurses for this critical specialty. For example, Miami Children's Hospital boasts a Magnet designation and promotes its facility as a "fun" work environment. Every year in the United States, more than 5,500 babies are born weighing less than one pound. Thanks to advancements in technology and the specialized care they receive, the majority of these premature babies can survive and grow up to be normal, healthy children. For more information on neonatal nursing, visit www.nursesource.org/neonatal.html or http://www.discovernursing.com/.
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Meet Nurse Celina Tobias
