Question

Q: On a hospital ward, there are 16 nurses and 68 patients. a. Write the nurse : patient ratio in the form on 1:n Another ward has 18 nurses and 81 patients. b. Which hospital has the best nurse:patient ratio? Explain your answer.

A. 1:4.25
B. 1:4.5
Which is a better ratio? And how wold you explain it?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

The better ratio depends on the goals of the person judging.

Explanation:

From the patient's point of view, more nurse's is probably better. So (a) 1 nurse to 4.25 patients is the better ratio.

From the hospital's point of view (and the patient concerned about higher prices due to higher staff costs) fewer nurses may be better. In this case (b) 1 nurse to 4.5 patients is the better ratio.