Computer integration and time spent on direct patient nutritional care activities in an outpatient dialysis setting

To compare time spent in patient and administrative activities by nutrition professionals in a group of dialysis facilities, and relate differences to the degree of computer integration at the sites and between 2 time periods.

Survey design, self-administered activity form, completed in 1992 and 1997.

Three of the largest outpatient dialysis centers in western Washington state.

Ten nutrition professionals completed the activity forms.

Activity form (recording time), questionnaire (results not reported here).

Amount of time spent on administrative activities in 1997 and the number of patients and number of hours per nutrition professional per month spent with patients in 1997, compared with 1992.

Time spent on administrative activities decreased in all facilities since 1992, with the largest decrease at the unit having the most computer integration.

Extensive computer integration seems to allow for a decrease in the amount of time spent on administrative activities by nutrition professionals.