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Adaptation of a workload measurement system
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|June 1, 1982
Summary
This study refines a patient-care unit (PCU) workload measurement system for pharmacies. The enhanced method breaks down activities into elements for more precise time and cost analysis, improving pharmacy management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Administration
- Healthcare Management
- Workload Measurement
Background:
- Existing patient-care unit (PCU) systems measure pharmacy workload based on activity frequency and time.
- The core of these systems relies on weighting factors, representing the usual time to complete each PCU.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an adaptation of a previously reported PCU system for workload measurement.
- To enhance the precision of weighting factors in pharmacy workload assessment.
Main Methods:
- Modified the PCU system by dissecting each PCU into constituent elements.
- Determined the time required for each element, utilizing existing data and measuring hospital-specific times.
- Developed modified PCU definitions, counting mechanisms, and weighting factors.
Main Results:
- The modified PCU system allows for more precise measurement of weighting factors compared to prior methods.
- Calculated service hours (activity frequency × weighting factor) indicate personnel time allocation.
- Cost per service hour can be computed for fee setting.
Conclusions:
- The adapted PCU system offers a more accurate method for measuring pharmacy workload and resource allocation.
- Practical applications include staffing evaluations, trend analysis, and clinical service documentation.
- The modified system is adaptable for use by other healthcare institutions.