Improving nurse staffing management using electronic health records
Official title: Leveraging Electronic Health Record Data for Inpatient Nurse Workforce Management: A Mixed Methods Study
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11111188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to improve the number of nurses in hospitals by using information from patient records, so that nurse leaders can make better staffing decisions and ultimately provide better care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01HX003868-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients receiving inpatient care at facilities where nurse staffing levels are being monitored and managed.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently hospitalized or receiving inpatient care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance nurse staffing levels in hospitals by utilizing data from electronic health records (EHR). It aims to develop a new method for estimating daily nurse staffing needs and tracking nurse turnover by analyzing routinely collected data, such as medication administration and vital signs. By addressing current gaps in data accessibility and accuracy, the project seeks to provide nurse leaders with timely information to make informed staffing decisions. This approach could lead to better patient care and improved nursing workforce management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective nurse staffing, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes in hospitals.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using electronic health records for improving healthcare management, indicating that this approach has potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petersen, Laura a — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Petersen, Laura a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.