What is a major drawback of averaging nursing hours per patient day?

Averaging nursing hours per patient day is a common metric used to gauge staffing needs, but one of its major drawbacks is that it may overlook the intensity of care required for individual patients. This metric provides a broad view of staffing levels but does not account for the complexity of patient cases. Some patients may require significantly more nursing time due to higher acuity or particular medical conditions, while others may need less.

By averaging the hours, these nuances are masked, potentially leading to insufficient staffing for high-needs patients. This can negatively impact patient outcomes and the quality of care provided. Therefore, while averaging can be a helpful initial measure, it does not fully capture the specific demands of nursing care, making it an inadequate tool for ensuring that patient needs are met effectively.