Administrative case study: analysis of a hospital pharmacy's manpower requirements

Development of a method to determine the manpower requirements needed to adequately staff a pharmacy department in a 760-bed teaching hospital is discussed. The Michigan Hospital Staffing Methodology Manual, direct observations, interviews and diaries were used to gather data. An example of the data collected for the dispensing area is presented. The data provided a basis for developing productivity standards for current methods and procedures used in the pharmacy department. Also, the data facilitated the justification process for allocating existing and requesting future manpower resources.