Analytical scheduling of small nursing teams

Abstract

By using empirical studies of nursing organizations and theoretical models, improve. menta in the utilization of nursing teams have been achieved. These improvements nrc evidenced by increased time spent, with the patient rather than on other duties.A problem, so far unresolved, arises with the need to change the allocation of nurses to patients at certain times. \Vhilst this did not hinder t.he operation of the scheme when it was tested, nurses expressed some reservations on this point, and further research is clearly required. ObjectiveOne objective of an extensive research project was to develop a quantitative technique to schedule a ' small team' of nursing personnel to an appropriate number of patients based on the changing needs for care of the patients over time. The flexibility of this method is obtained by varying the number of patients that the team (of fixed size) is responsible for, rather than varying the size of the staff on a nursing unit that has a fixed num bel' of beds. If successful, it would appear that this method would secure the financial advantages of flexible nurse scheduling, the social advantages of improved patient care, and the increased nurse satisfaction imputed to ' small team' nursing. In addition, there would appear to be an advantage to the elimination of a level of nursing hierarchy (head nurse).