The impact of patient transfers and bedspace moves on nurse workload

摘要: This multiple methods study explores the impact of moving patients between and within wards on nursing workload. While patient transfers (between clinical units) bedspace moves beds same ward) are a routine part practice in acute hospitals, rate has increased recent times, due primarily to shortage hospital an increasing demand for health services. The organisation preparation prior, during post transfer or move related communication processes forms component work that not been comprehensively explored. As consequence, workload fully realised nor captured staffing models. A three-stage, sequential approach was used this study. Stage 1 retrospectively examined 2008-2009 financial administrative data explore incidence destination one Australian metropolitan over year. Results identified majority movements involved medical-surgical (n=12) were therefore suitable contexts more in-depth investigation. Stage 2 consisted direct observational-timing conducted seven week period. Based results, medical surgical ward with high selected observation. A purpose-designed collection tool record time activities associated observed (n=75). From these observational records field notes, two case studies developed 3 demonstrate detail sequence activities, role nurse factors can taken another ward. The results at hospital, 10,733 who remained 48 hours experienced 34,715 largest single group (48.6%, n=16,861) wards. from indicated average took 65.8 minutes 29.2 complete. Of time, 40 nurses’ spent 11 moves. means alone, 3.9 FTE nurses necessary all occur each month. The is considerable. Time less available other their care needs. In addition, many could be performed by members team. Given workload, it timely hospitals consider strategies minimise frequency improve efficiency transfers.