Self-scheduling: a unique staffing approach for a regional poison information center

For optimal effectiveness, a regional poison information center (RPIC) must be operational 24 h daily, every day of the year. While the formula to calculate the number of full-time equivalents (FTE'S) needed to staff a shift at an RPIC is well known, the best method for successful estimation rotation of an RPIC's professional staff to attain adequate 24-h coverage remains a conundrum. For a 12-mo period, full and part-time Poison Information Specialists at an RPIC self-scheduled all of their work time. Each Specialist rotated 2 shifts (days/nights) or chose a steady off-shift (evenings or nights). On a rotation basis, a Poison Information Specialist schedule coordinator was assigned to "balance" each 4-week period of self-scheduled time. This eliminated inadequate staffing on any given shift. Self-scheduling of work time has impacted positively on staff morale, since it commits the ownership of scheduling to those directly affected by the outcome. Costly illness time has decreased by 23 d/y and administrative staff are able to expand the 10 h, once spent in developing weekly staff schedules, in other areas of productivity.