This systematic review examines the relationship between nursing leadership practices and patient safety outcomes, particularly focusing on medication errors and patient falls. It found that effective nursing leadership is associated with reduced medication errors and patient falls, although findings regarding leadership's impact on fall-related injuries were inconclusive. Overall, the evidence suggests that positive leadership behaviors can enhance patient care by influencing staff performance and work environments.

1. The Impact of Nursing Leadership
on Patient Safety outcomes:
A Systematic Review.
Lisa Abraham

2. The aim of this
systematic review
was to describe the
findings of a
systematic review
of studies that
examine the
relationship
between nursing
leadership
practices and
patient safety
outcomes.
Aim

3. Methods: Systematic Review
Background
As healthcare faces an economic downturn, stressful
work environments, upcoming retirements of leaders
and projected workforce shortages, implementing
strategies to ensure effective leadership and optimal
patient outcomes are paramount.
However, surprisingly little is known about the actual
association between nursing leadership and the two
patient safety outcomes; medication error and patient
fall.

4. Primary
outcome
Evidence of positive
relationship between
Nursing leadership
and patient safety
outcomes-
medication errors
and patient falls.
• Measurement of different
leadership.
• Leadership styles and patient
outcomes in different heath
care settings.
• Relationship between nursing
leadership and (1) falls related
injuries and (2)complications.
Secondary outcomes

5. Results
A total of 12 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria
and were retained. Evidence of associations between
positive leadership behaviours, styles or practices and
reduced medication error, patient fall, and length of
stay were significant.
Findings relating leadership to fall related injuries
were inconclusive

6. Conclusion The findings highlighted a
key relationship between
nursing leadership and
the reduction of
medication errors and
patient fall, possibly
through processes such
as making changes in the
work context or
influencing staff
attitudes, behaviour or
performance that may
facilitate patient care.

7. Leadership and Compassionate Care

8. CARING