How effective and cost-effective is the Safer Nursing Care Tool?

Saville, Christina
Griffiths, Peter
Ball, Jane

Authors Christina Saville is research fellow; Peter Griffiths is chair of health services research; Jane Ball is professor of nursing workforce policy, all at the University of Southampton.

Nursing Times 117(3):p 29-30, March 2021.

In this article…

A study measuring the usefulness of the Safer Nursing Care Tool in four trusts
How its predictions compare with professional opinion
The costs and consequences of alternative nurse staffing levels

Abstract

The Safer Nursing Care Tool estimates required staffing levels based on patient acuity and dependency on nursing care. A study has measured its usefulness, including comparing it with professional assessments of staffing needs and the relative cost-effectiveness of different staffing levels. This article discusses the study’s findings, concluding that, although the tool can help hospitals predict staffing requirements, it has limitations and cannot replace professional judgement.