Assessing Patient Acuity on Medical Surgical Units and Its Effects on Nursing Care
Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Printed poster
Entry Number
2382
Start Date
4-16-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
4-16-2025 1:15 PM
School
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Keywords
Patient Acuity Tools, Chronic Health Issues, Health Care Costs, Medical Surgical Patient Population, Nurse to Patient Ratio, Nurse Leadership
Abstract
This poster is an analysis of the literature regarding the use and effects of assessing patient acuity within the medical surgical population. A patient acuity tool is a system used in health care to determine the complexity of a patient. Current methods and studies of implementing a patient acuity tool are presented and their results are analyzed to determine aspects that have improved, as well as negatively impacted, the delivery of nursing patient care. The need for a standardized patient acuity tool is linked to better patient outcomes, yet a protocol is not standardized. Barriers to implementing a patient acuity tool are addressed, along with the implications that can occur when a patient acuity tool is not used. This literature review emphasizes the importance of assessing patient acuity to better allocate resources and improve patient care. Potential solutions relate back to nurse leadership and establishing a positive workplace culture. If patient acuity tools are implemented, then resources can be better allocated to achieve better patient outcomes.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Rachel Willis, PhD, MA, MEd, BA Prof. Amanda Pribble, MSN, RN, FNP, CHSE Prof. Jill Foster, MSN, RN
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Department of Nursing Westover Honors College
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Assessing Patient Acuity on Medical Surgical Units and Its Effects on Nursing Care
Turner Gymnasium
This poster is an analysis of the literature regarding the use and effects of assessing patient acuity within the medical surgical population. A patient acuity tool is a system used in health care to determine the complexity of a patient. Current methods and studies of implementing a patient acuity tool are presented and their results are analyzed to determine aspects that have improved, as well as negatively impacted, the delivery of nursing patient care. The need for a standardized patient acuity tool is linked to better patient outcomes, yet a protocol is not standardized. Barriers to implementing a patient acuity tool are addressed, along with the implications that can occur when a patient acuity tool is not used. This literature review emphasizes the importance of assessing patient acuity to better allocate resources and improve patient care. Potential solutions relate back to nurse leadership and establishing a positive workplace culture. If patient acuity tools are implemented, then resources can be better allocated to achieve better patient outcomes.