As we continue to push for improvements in health care quality and safety, one group stands at the forefront of this mission: nurses. From the moment patients enter a hospital until the moment they leave, nurses are there to ensure that care is delivered safely and effectively. This National Nurses Week, we honor the extraordinary work of nurses, not only for the care they provide but for their central role in ensuring patient safety across the country.
Nurses as the Foundation of Patient Safety
Nurses are the primary caregivers in many health care settings, and they play a key role in reducing adverse events and ensuring the highest standard of care. Whether in the operating room, at the patient’s bedside or in the emergency department, nurses identify potential problems before they escalate.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade evaluates hospitals based on numerous safety measures, many of which directly relate to nursing care. The connection between strong nursing leadership, proper staffing and hospital safety cannot be overstated.
The Impact of Nurse Communication
Effective communication between nurses and patients is critical to patient safety. Good communication can prevent a wide range of medical errors, especially when it comes to ensuring that patients fully understand their treatment plans and post-discharge instructions. Nurses serve as the primary source of communication, listening to patients, answering questions and explaining diagnosis and treatment plans in ways that patients understand. This clear communication also extends to coordination among the care team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade includes metrics like nurse communication—a measure of how well nurses and other hospital staff communicate with patients. Nurse communication also has a significant impact on patient experience. Effective nurse-patient communication can lead to improved outcomes, increased satisfaction and enhanced trust.
Addressing Nurse Staffing and Workload
A key element of high-quality patient care is adequate nurse staffing. Hospitals with higher nurse-to-patient ratios have better patient outcomes, including lower rates of mortality, infections and complications. However, many hospitals still struggle to meet staffing standards. Nurse burnout, a direct result of understaffing and excessive workloads, can lead to fatigue, errors and compromised patient care. By investing in nurse staffing, offering professional development opportunities promoting a culture that values nurses’ contributions, hospitals can improve both staff well-being and patient safety.
How Hospitals Can Support Nurses
Here are a few essential steps health care facilities can take to invest in nursing care and patient safety:
- Ensure safe staffing levels: Adequate nurse staffing is crucial for preventing burnout and ensuring that patients receive timely, high-quality care. This includes not just the amount of nursing staff, but also having an appropriate mix of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) and RNs with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
- Provide ongoing education and support: Hospitals should provide nurses with the tools and training they need to keep up with the latest in patient safety protocols and best practices.
- Foster a culture of safety: Nurses should feel empowered to speak up about concerns and opportunities to improve care. A culture that encourages reporting and addressing safety issues is key to preventing medical errors.
How You Can Help
We can all play a part in improving patient safety through honoring the role nurses play in health care quality and safety:
- Support nurse staffing initiatives: Encourage facilities to prioritize nurse staffing and make necessary investments in their workforce.
- Advocate for nurse-led safety programs: Advocate for more nurse-driven initiatives aimed at improving patient safety. Nurses are uniquely positioned to identify gaps in care and develop solutions.
- Raise awareness: Help spread the message about the importance of nursing in ensuring safe care. Share resources about the critical role nurses play in your community.
Celebrating National Nurses Week 2025
As we celebrate National Nurses Week, let’s take a moment to recognize the immense impact nurses have on patient safety. By supporting nursing practices, improving work environments and investing in staffing, hospitals can make significant strides in reducing harm and improving outcomes for all patients.
The Leapfrog Group encourages patients and families to use the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade to learn more about their local hospitals and choose facilities that prioritize safe nursing care. Together, we can ensure that nurses continue to be the frontline champions of patient safety.