Cluster staffing: cooperation, competence, and caring

1. A very large OR staff that deals with a multitude of specialty areas may find it difficult to keep up skill and knowledge levels in all areas. This may lead to staff dissatisfaction and a high turnover rate. 2. Partially by allowing staff to chose their own clusters, cluster staffing works to increase staff satisfaction, to increase the clinical knowledge "comfort zone," to improve efficiency, and to reduce the turnover rate. 3. The results of cluster staffing at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center indicate that staff are happier, are more relaxed, focus more on patient care, and work together more efficiently.