Evidence for Investing in Nursing (ROI)
CNA is committed to supporting evidence-informed decisions to achieve quality health care. We support governments, nurse leaders and employers in making health human resources plans that ensure health-care accessibility and sustainability.
Increasing health-care costs challenge the sustainability of our current health system. CNA’s Return on Investment (ROI) research summaries collectively provide evidence for strategies that invest in health care and save dollars at the same time.
Studies included in the ROI series:
- are authored by both Canadian and international researchers
- reflect a variety of clinical settings
- involve registered nurses as well as other members of the health-care team
- include health promotion, interprofessional care and the use of technology
- address cost savings, increased system capacity and improved quality of care
These research findings demonstrate how nurses can contribute to solutions that reduce health-care costs and improve quality of care. The ROI summaries may be used as a resource for applying the research finding and to stimulate further positive solutions toward sustaining Canada’s health system.
Download ROI Research Summaries
Nurses caring for children with asthma
In outpatient clinics, nurse-led follow-up of children with asthma is as effective as follow-up by a pediatrician, but the cost is 17.5 per cent lower when care is provided by nurses.
Nurse-led respiratory intermediate care teams
Using a respiratory intermediate care team led by nurse specialists to manage the care of patients at home reduces admissions and shortens the length of hospital stay, thereby reducing health system costs.
Cost of nurse turnover
The cost of nurse turnover is 1.2-1.3 times the annual salaries of registered nurses.
Registered nurses providing direct care in nursing homes
Increasing the time that registered nurses spend providing direct care to residents of nursing homes from 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes per resident per day achieves net cost savings by reducing adverse outcomes.
Injury prevention in nursing homes
A “best practices” musculoskeletal injury prevention program in nursing homes reduces resident handling injuries and violence toward caregivers while showing a three-year recovery of the program costs through reduced workers’ compensation costs.
A business case for raising registered nursing staffing levels
A study by Needleman et al. (2002) examined the relationship between nurse staffing levels in hospitals and the rates of adverse outcomes among patients.
Costs and implications of nurse turnover in Canadian hospitals
In a survey study involving respondents from all 10 provinces, O’Brien-Pallas et al. (2008) examined the magnitude and cost of nurse turnover in Canadian hospitals and described the impacts on patients, nurses and the system as a whole.
