Aim: To evaluate the maximum number of patients per nurse before quality and safety outcomes deteriorate in medical-surgical settings.
Design: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data.
Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary evidence in support of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:4 in British Columbia's medical-surgical areas. Policy-makers and decision-makers should augment minimum nurse-to-patient ratios with other nurse-driven tools and nurse-management staffing methods that provide more flexibility to better meet fluctuating environmental, patient and staffing needs.
No patient or public involvement: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.
