A simple work measurement system that can aid in effective production planning

With the advent of increased controls in the hospital field has come the mandate for more efficient use of available resources. Production planning is the mechanism by which these efficiencies can be gained. Ongoing measurement of various work components must be conducted and retrospectively compared to make meaningful use of production planning techniques. The pharmacy department at Brokaw Hospital, which utilizes a unit dose drug distribution system combined with intravenous admixture and monitoring services, has developed an internal measurement system based on key variable weighted units of service. Each component is assigned a value depending on time needed (in minutes) for completion. The units are tabulated daily, with the monthly sum being divided by departmental manhours to yield a monthly productivity ratio. This ratio is used as an aid in making decisions related to work assignments and staff scheduling. Compared against the productivity ratio of a benchmark month of known departmental efficiency (derived by measuring all activities for the month divided by man-hours consumed), projections can be made for future manpower requirements.