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Weighted staffing plans for better prediction of staffing needs
Shirley J Tierney1, Paulette Seymour-Route, Sybil Crawford
1Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester 01655, USA.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of patient turnover and acuity on worked hours per patient day (WHPPD).
Background:
An examination of staffing plans publically posted by Massachusetts hospitals with more than 300 beds revealed that less than 40% were within 5% of their planned versus actual WHPPD.
Methods:
Three years of WHPPD data collected from 14 adult acute care units were correlated with patient turnover and acuity data. A weight factor was retrospectively added to 8 paired units' planned WHPPD where correlations were identified.
Results:
Twelve units (86%) showed significant correlations between WHPPD and patient turnover. Correlations between patient acuity and WHPPD were significant only at the aggregate level. After weighting WHPPD, the 8 paired units demonstrated a decreased variance between planned and actual WHPPD.
Conclusion:
Using a weight factor added to WHPPD to right size acute care medical-surgical units may be useful for accurate staff planning and budgeting.
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