In this systematic review update we identified an
increasing body of research findings relating to the
relationship between nursing leadership and patient
outcomes. However, the prominence of cross-sectional
designs and the heterogeneity in patient outcome variables,
samples/settings and leadership measures mean
that robust evidence to support specific leadership
styles that predict specific patient outcomes is limited.
The current evidence reinforced findings from the previous
review with respect to the positive relationships
between relational leadership styles and patient
satisfaction and improved patient safety outcomes.
Specifically, the current evidence suggests a clear relationship
between relational leadership styles and lower
patient mortality and reduced medication errors,
restraint use, and hospital-acquired infections. Future
studies of a longitudinal and interventional nature
must be conducted in a variety of settings with more
diverse and randomly selected samples. In addition, the
development and testing of stronger conceptual models