Response to study regarding level of education

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2003  

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An article in the Sept 4, 2003, issue of JAMA titled "Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality" concludes that surgical patients experienced lower mortality and failure-to-rescue rates in hospitals with higher proportions of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level or higher. (1) The study analyzed outcomes data for 232,342 patients having general, orthopedic, and vascular surgical procedures. The results are based on a study of discharged patients from 168 non-federal adult general hospitals in Pennsylvania between April 1, 1998, and Nov 30, 1999.

Responding to questions about this study, AORN President Betty Shultz, RN, CNOR, noted that this is one study in a limited geographic area of the country. In other comments on behalf of AORN, she stated,

We believe the JAMA study is a promising first step in the exploration of the relationship of formal education to patient outcomes. If the findings from this study can be replicated in other controlled studies, they will have significant implications for nursing education.

President Shultz also noted that, in addition to formal education,

AORN also encourages and supports continuing education for all registered nurses. We support our members' educational endeavors by providing scholarships and grants to assist perioperative RNs to advance their education. In addition to obtaining BSN and higher level degrees, we believe that it is important that all nurses continue their education in some manner.

(1.) L Aiken, et al, "Educational Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality," JAMA 290 (Sept 4, 2003) 1617-1623.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group