Time Spent in Indirect Nursing Care
Abstract
Part of the FY 83 Army Study Program and intended to augment the FY 81 completed study titled 'Nursing Care Hours Standards' by providing valid and reliable percentages for hospital patient nursing care unit requirements (i.e., direct care, indirect care, and non-productive time). These data provide the Army Nurse Corps with the necessary statistics to more objectively determine manpower requirements. Work sampling techniques were used at nine CONUS HSC medical treatment facilities of varying bed capacity by surveying six sevices (where available, i.e., medical-surgical, intensive care, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatric, and neonatal). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Across all MTFs, percentages time spent by inpatient nursing personnel are: direct care (24.5%); indirect care (60.5%); and unavailable for patient care (15.0%); (2) The most variance (in direct care and unavailable for care) appeared to be a function of hospital size and the mix of personnel assigned; (3) Times spent in each activity as expected, however, differences among the clinical services (obstetrics and Medical-surgical particularly) indicate a different yardstick might be considered for each of the six services; (4) Subjective reports from charge nurses expressed their opinions as to the adequacy of staffing for each shift observed as 24.0% inadequate, most often cause 'not enough staff on duty', 'above surveillance'; and 'not an optimal mix of personnel skill levels'.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA138388
Entities
People
- A. J. Frelin
- P. A. Twist
- T. R. Misener