Beyond a Band-Aid Approach: An Internal Agency Solution to Nurse Staffing.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) affirmed that the employment of temporary or per diem nurses augments risk to patient safety. The IOM recommends health care facilities avoid hiring nurses working from a temporary external agency. The IOM recognizes the need for health care facilities to have a plan in place for situations when confronted with short staffing, higher acuity, and increased patient census.

A sitter-reduction program in an acute health care system.

Maintaining quality while being financial stewards is essential in today's health care climate. One strategy considered effective for keeping patients safe is the use of sitters. However, research supporting the effectiveness of this intervention for reducing certain patient safety outcomes is limited.