Managing nurse absence

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Workforce Studies
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Nurse absence presents a significant challenge within the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
• Effective management of staff attendance is crucial for maintaining healthcare quality and operational efficiency.
• Previous research has indicated varying levels and causes of absence among nursing staff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons for nurse absence within the NHS.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of NHS management in monitoring and controlling nurse absenteeism.
• To analyze the financial and care delivery implications of nurse absence.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating data from four distinct research components.
• Surveys were conducted with back-injured nurses (1992), 4,000 Royal College of Nursing members (1993), and 119 NHS employing units (1993).
• In-depth case studies were performed with management across ten NHS hospital sites (1993).

Main Results:

• Data revealed specific levels and key drivers of nurse absence across various NHS settings.
• The study assessed the capabilities and limitations of NHS management in addressing nurse absenteeism.
• The impact of nurse absence on organizational costs and the continuity of patient care delivery was quantified.

Conclusions:

• Nurse absence is a complex issue with multifaceted causes and significant organizational consequences.
• There are identifiable areas for improvement in NHS management strategies for monitoring and mitigating nurse absence.
• Addressing nurse absence is vital for optimizing resource allocation and ensuring high-quality patient care.