Name:Sarah Saleh aldossri
(Nursing technician)
Name:Noura Nasser Almenieir
(Health Assistant)
Name:Haya abdaullh Alabdaziz
(Nursing technician)
Name:Sheikh safar Al qhtani
(Specialist Nursing)
Name:Abdullah Jazi AlHarbi
(Nursing technician)
Name:Zahra mahoud ali
(Nursing technician)
Name:Alhanouf Saad Alotaibi
(Nursing technician)
Name:Fayha Miqad Eid Alotaibi
(Nursing Specialist)
“ Exploring the Impact of Nurse Staffing Levels on Hospital-Acquired Infection Prevention”
Abstract:Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) continue to provide a substantial concern in healthcare, affecting patient safety and escalating healthcare expenses. This study examines the influence of nurse staffing levels on the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, highlighting the correlation between staffing adequacy and compliance with infection prevention methods. A descriptive quantitative methodology was employed to gather data using structured questionnaires distributed to nurses in diverse hospital environments, supplemented by secondary data from peer-reviewed literature. The findings indicate that increased nurse-to-patient ratios enhance compliance with infection control protocols, facilitate early infection diagnosis, and decrease incidence of healthcare-associated illnesses (HAIs). In contrast, understaffing was associated with heightened workloads, procedural errors, and postponed infection identification. Obstacles such as inadequate training and budget constraints were identified as exacerbating these issues, especially in under-staffed settings. The report advocates for the optimization of personnel ratios, the provision of regular training, the enhancement of resource allocation, and the utilization of technology to bolster infection control initiatives. These findings emphasize the essential importance of nurse staffing in safeguarding patient safety and reinforce the necessity for healthcare systems to prioritize adequate staffing and supporting policies to enhance clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Nurse staffing levels, hospital-acquired infections, infection prevention, nurse workload, healthcare safety.
