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Developing Objective Metrics for Unit Staffing (DOMUS) study
I Siddiqui1, B Whittingham1, K Meadowcroft1
1University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, Stoke, UK.
BMJ Open
|September 14, 2014
Summary
A new scoring system helps determine safe midwifery staffing levels on delivery suites. This tool objectively assesses demand and capacity, informing escalation policies and ensuring adequate staff for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Maternal Health
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Staffing
Background:
- Safe midwifery staffing is crucial for maternity services.
- Escalation policies are vital for managing emergency pressures.
- Current methods for assessing staffing needs may lack objectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a scoring system for real-time assessment of midwifery staffing requirements.
- To determine delivery suite escalation levels based on demand and capacity.
- To calculate unit-specific optimal midwifery staffing levels.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month study in a tertiary referral hospital's maternity unit.
- Shift coordinators completed scoring sheets four times daily.
- Escalation levels determined by demand (dependency score) and capacity (staff numbers).
Main Results:
- 1160 scoring sheets were analyzed.
- Average shift staffing was 7 midwives (range 3-11).
- Average dependency score was 7 (range 1-14); 80th centile demand was 11.
Conclusions:
- A simple scoring system can objectively determine delivery suite escalation levels.
- This tool aids in establishing appropriate midwifery staffing.
- The system provides a practical approach to managing maternity unit capacity.
Keywords:
OBSTETRICS
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