The hidden ethical element of nursing care rationing.

The article discusses a study which explores the perceptions and experiences of nurses regarding prioritization, omissions and rationing of bedside nursing care via focus groups. Topics discussed include the study's intention of exploring rationing deeper and gain better understanding of the pressures and influences guiding nurses' decisions to ration and the need to recognize that rationing of nursing care is a major patient safety issue that should be discussed at a policy level.