Calculating the optimal number of nurses based on nursing intensity by patient classification groups in general units in South Korea: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to calculate the total daily nursing workload and the optimal number of nurses per general unit based on the nursing intensity. Design This study was conducted using a cross‐sectional study. Methods Three units at one general hospital were investigated. Patient classification according to nursing needs was performed for over 10 days in each unit in September 2018. The direct and non‐direct nursing time and nursing intensity scores were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results For the internal medicine unit, the average direct nursing time per patient was 1.0, 1.5, 2.2 and 2.9 h for Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. For the surgical unit, the average direct nursing time per patient was 0.9, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.6 h for Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. 5 and 9 additional nurses were needed in the internal medicine and surgical nursing units. Patient Contribution This study confirmed that the optimal number of nurses was not achieved and that the nursing intensity was very high. Long‐term efforts, such as improving the nursing environment, should be made to ensure an optimal number of nurses in various nursing units.

Comparação do nível de dependência de Enfermagem e dimensionamento entre unidades de internação clínica e cirúrgica

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Comparison of Nursing dependency levels and sizing between clinical and surgical inpatient units

“…1,3,7 Internationally, the measurement of nursing workload in medical-surgical inpatient units is based on patient classification tools, in addition to the patient/professional relationship and expert judgment. [8][9][10] This is not so different in Brazil, 1,3,7 but it is known that, unlike more developed countries, the panorama of staffing in Brazilian nursing, in addition to being potentially problematic, is also very diffuse, recognizing the undeniable continental and widely unequal characteristic of the country. In addition to discussing the situation of nursing human capital provision in contrast to the international scenario, it is important to learn more about the level of patient dependency and the relationship between nursing staff sizing and the actual availability of workers in different units of the same institution, as this can lead to improvements in the quality of care by enhancing the assertiveness of any staff reallocation processes.…”

The Road to Developing Standard Time for Efficient Nursing Care: A Time and Motion Analysis

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