8 Best Examples of How Statistics is Used in Nursing


Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »»
RN, BSN, MBA


In nursing, we use several methods of analyzing and interpreting information to help us provide quality patient care and promote positive patient outcomes. One of the methods we use is to utilize statistics. If you are new to nursing or unsure exactly what statistics is, you may wonder, "How is statistics used in nursing?”

In this article, I will answer that question by sharing the 8 best examples of how statistics is used in nursing. As you read on, you will learn how analyzing and interpreting data using statistics helps nurses provide better care and education to patients and their loved ones, track diseases and illnesses, and monitor for changes in patient health. You will also discover how statistics is used to prioritize and plan patient care.



How is Statistics Used in Nursing?

(The following are the 8 best examples of how statistics is used in nursing.)


EXAMPLE #1: Prioritizing Patient Care

One common way statistics is used in nursing is when nurses use various data to prioritize patient needs and plan care. For example, you can use statistical analysis to determine which patients need the most immediate care or know when follow-up care is indicated based on patterns of symptoms and vital signs. Care prioritization is an essential job of all registered nurses, and it helps us to ensure the patients with the most severe conditions or those in need of immediate care or attention are seen first.


EXAMPLE #2: Monitoring the Spread of Disease

One very important way statistics is used in nursing is when nurse researchers collect data related to symptoms of illnesses and diseases and patient demographics to monitor and track the prevalence of diseases or illnesses and predict the likelihood of them spreading. Nurses analyze trends in rates of infection and assess common risk factors to determine which populations are most susceptible to an illness or disease. Additionally, nurses who do this type of work collaborate with statisticians and epidemiologists who work closely with the Centers for Disease Control to calculate incubation periods and transmission rates of infections and to determine population dynamics that increase risks and plan measures to mitigate those risks.


EXAMPLE #3: Monitoring Vital Signs to Identify Changes in Patient Status

Statistics allow nurses to identify patterns in vital signs, which is essential to planning appropriate, effective care. We compare the most recent vital signs measurements to those recorded on flow charts and data sheets to help us identify trends or changes that could indicate a positive or negative response to the current care plan.

For instance, during her latest doctor appointment, my daughter reported to the nurse that she had been experiencing dizziness and had fainted a few times. The nurse performed an EKG and presented the results of that test and a previous EKG to the nurse practitioner seeing my daughter. The nurse practitioner was concerned because her heart rate was so erratic and referred her to a cardiologist. After wearing a heart monitor for one week, the cardiologist analyzed the results and ordered more tests. Comparing data from my daughter’s medical chart to the results of the new EKG and heart monitor is an example of how statistics is used in nursing.


EXAMPLE #4: Using Frequency Charts and Data Sheets

Another way statistics is used in nursing is when nurses utilize frequency charts or data sheets to document patient care. For example, nurses document the time medications are administered on frequency charts. This use of statistics is especially important because when used correctly and in a timely manner, frequency charts help nurses ensure patients receive medications at the appropriate time and do not receive more medications than prescribed.


EXAMPLE #5: Supporting Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice in nursing refers to the way we use current research to help improve the health, safety, and well-being of our patients. As nurses, we use statistics to read, interpret, and comprehend data and other relevant information and use what we learn from it to help make decisions about patient care. We apply our knowledge of statistics to identify possible risk factors related to medication or treatment choices, thereby making better-informed decisions.


EXAMPLE #6: Measuring Patient Outcomes

Another way statistics is used in nursing is when nurses gather data on patient outcomes to determine if care was effective. For example, one of my responsibilities when working in case management was to gather data about patient recovery rates and complications related to care. I had access to post-discharge surveys and conducted interviews to determine how the patient's quality of life was affected by the care they received in our facility. By implementing this type of statistical analysis, our team was able to determine which interventions had the most positive impact on patient outcomes, leading to improved, evidence-based choices for other patients in our care.


EXAMPLE #7: Gathering Information to Help Make Clinical Decisions

One of the most powerful tools we can use as nurses is observation. During patient assessments, we gather and analyze data by observing and listening to our patients, verifying laboratory and other test results, and reviewing patient records. When we master the art of observation, we can recognize patterns in our patient’s behavior and medical history to make informed decisions based on their individual needs.


EXAMPLE #8: Using Electronic Health Records

When I first became a nurse, all our nurse's notes were handwritten, and we had to file lab reports and other documentation in thick patient charts. Depending on how sick a patient was or how many admissions they had, their records could have a lot of information to comb through. One thing I love about the healthcare industry, and nursing is that there seem to be endless advances in technology and our approaches to patient care. One example of those advances and another way statistics is used in nursing is the utilization of electronic health records (EHRs).

Today, nurses and other members of the healthcare team can input data into the patient’s electronic health record, and everyone involved in the patient’s care can easily access the information they need. The data we enter into EHRs is then used to help us provide safe, evidence-based patient care based on facts gathered from statistical analysis. As a result, we see fewer errors at the point of care and improved patient outcomes.



My Final Thoughts


Although instinct and experience are important, when it comes to providing quality patient care, they are not always enough. Nurses today must stay abreast of current trends and data, and one way we do that is by using statistics. It is important to ask, “How is statistics used in nursing?” Then, when we apply that knowledge, we can contribute to positive patient outcomes.

In this article, you learned about 8 best examples of how statistics is used in nursing. By utilizing these examples and other statistical methods, you can learn about tracking and monitoring rates of illness and disease, educate patients and their loved ones, and help promote positive patient outcomes.



List Of Sources Used For This Article


1. “What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? (With Examples, Benefits, & Challenges)” (nursingprocess.org)
2. The National Library of Medicine
3. “Unlocking the Potential of Electronic Health Records for Health Research” (The National Library of Medicine)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.