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Understanding Nursing Workflow for Inpatient Education Delivery: Time and Motion Study
Kelley M Baker1,2, Michelle F Magee2,3,4, Kelly M Smith1,2
1MedStar Institute for Quality and Safety Columbia, MD United States.
JMIR Nursing
|August 4, 2021
Summary
Hospitalized adults with diabetes need education. A time and motion study revealed nurses and technicians’ workflow allows for bedside tablet-based diabetes education, though session length may be a limitation.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare delivery
- Nursing workflow analysis
- Diabetes self-management education
Background:
- Diabetes self-management education improves outcomes but is underutilized.
- Hospitalization presents a key opportunity for diabetes education.
- Current nursing workflows may limit time for patient education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze nurse and patient care technician workflows.
- To identify opportunities for integrating diabetes education.
- To inform the implementation of a tablet-based diabetes education program.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a time and motion study of nurses and patient care technicians.
- Observed staff on three medical-surgical units.
- Collected data on tasks, locations, and durations using a web-based tool.
Main Results:
- Nurses spent one-third of time in direct patient care; technicians spent 42%.
- Most direct care sessions were brief (≤2 minutes).
- Staff frequently moved between patient rooms, with short intervals between visits.
Conclusions:
- Workflow patterns suggest bedside tablet delivery is feasible.
- Short direct care session durations may challenge in-depth patient instruction.
- Opportunities exist to integrate technology into existing hospital workflows for diabetes education.
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