Ewa Smoleń
Medical University of Lublin, Poland
Title: Structure of working time of pediatric nurses in Poland
Biography
Biography: Ewa Smoleń
Abstract
Introduction: Effective time management is an important element in the process of the management of health care management. Recognition of the structure of activities performed by nurses allows better working time management and, simultaneously, conditions the improvement of the quality of services within the health care system. The objective of the study was the determination of the structure of working time of pediatric nurses.
Materials & Method: The study was conducted during 2012-2014 in six wards of three levels of reference in Poland. Consent for the study was obtained from the Bioethics Committtee at the Medical University in Lublin. The study was conducted using working time measurement methods, continuous observation and snap-shot observation techniques. Data was collected by standardized research instruments; 24 continuous observations and 6,830 snap-shot observations were performed. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: Indirect nursing constituted the highest percentage of working time of pediatric nurses, while direct nursing occupied one-third of working time. The lowest percentage in the structure of working time of pediatric nurses was observed with respect to the fractions – coordination and organization of work. This fraction constituted the lowest percentage in hospital wards of the second and third level of reference. Statistically, the fraction: non-duty activities and breaks at work were more often observed in hospital wards of the first level of reference, compared to the second and third levels. In the structure of working time in the ward in a pediatric hospital, on the day and night shifts, significant differences were found related with performance of particular activities. On the day shift prevailed direct nursing, as well as coordination and organization of working time. On the night shift dominated activities associated with indirect nursing and breaks at work.
Conclusions: In the structure of working time of pediatric nurses, indirect nursing constituted the highest percentage of working time (48.2%). One-third of working time was devoted to direct nursing (30.3%). Pediatric nurses devoted the lowest percentage of their working time to the fractions-coordination and organization of work. The fraction – non-duty activities and breaks at work constituted 12.8% of working time.