Don't rely on staffing ratios alone: here are cutting-edge strategies to use.

You need to address acuity, length of stay, and staff skill mix when staffing your emergency department (ED). The Emergency Nurses Association has developed new staffing guidelines. Track changes in acuity and time spent on nursing tasks to obtain additional nursing hours. Use different ratios for specific patient groups. Admission holds in the ED must have the same staffing as inpatients.