Nurse perceptions good predictor of patient fall risk in med-surg units

Nurses’ subjective assessments of staffing adequacy are a more accurate predictor of patient safety on medical-surgical units than traditional administrative data, a study found. The study, published in Nursing Outlook, analyzed data from more than 1,200 U.S. nursing units. While nurses’ subjective perceptions of staffing adequacy were significantly associated with lower fall rates on medical-surgical units, the objective registered nurse hour-per-patient-day metric was a more effective predictor of patient falls in critical care units. The authors urge nursing leaders to listen to medical-surgical nurses about staffing needs. “Their voice is a vital safety indicator that can prevent discomfort, injury and excessive costs associated with patient falls,” says University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing lead author Eileen Lake, PhD, RN. (Newswise news release, 4/20/26)