The impact of nursing numbers and skills mix on patient outcomes.

This column reviews a recent inquest conducted by the Northern Territory coroner into the death of a patient in the Royal Darwin Hospital (Inquest into the Death of Margaret Winter [2008] NTMC 049). It analyses the impact on patient outcomes of the decisions that are made about nursing numbers and the most appropriate skills mix in particular situations. It also looks at the decision-making processes involved in making such assessments.